Press Release

UN Special Representative Hennis-Plasschaert Congratulates Yezidis on New Year, Remembers Victims of terrorism

17 April 2019

Baghdad, 17 April 2019 – On the occasion of the Yezidi New Year, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, congratulates the Yezidi communities in Iraq and abroad. It is also an occasion to remember the victims of terrorism and conflict, including the women and children who were kidnapped by the terrorist Da’esh and remain missing.

“The joy of celebrating will be incomplete without the return of the missing to their loved ones. It will remain incomplete without justice and accountability for the crimes committed against Yezidis. Efforts to win their release and bring the perpetrators of crimes committed against the community to justice will continue unabated,” Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert said.

The Special Representative said that the celebration this year and for many years to come is a testament of the Yezidis' resilience in spite of the systematic attempts by the terrorists to destroy the Yezidi community and their way of life. “The Yezidi community has prevailed and will continue to flourish in a unified, democratic Iraq that embraces all of its diverse communities.”

Samir Ghattas

Samir Ghattas

UNAMI
Spokesperson and Director of Strategic Communications and Public Information Office

UNAMI Public Information Office

UNAMI

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