Remarks by Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance Yazidi Genocide Memorial Opening

Distinguished guests,         

On behalf of the United Nations family in Iraq, let me begin by offering our deepest condolences to the survivors and the families of the victims of the Yazidi Genocide, and express our deep solidarity with them. 

The loss of all those lives, and the atrocities committed in the name of a sick and vicious ideology, will forever mark our memories.  The effects of those atrocities continue to impact the lives of the survivors and move the conscience of everyone in the world.

Time and again, the Yazidi community has endured systemic violence and attempts to erase its existence.  Generation after generation, Yazidis have carried the scars of war, persecution, displacement and exclusion.  Their trauma and grief are immeasurable.

Today then is day of remembrance and reflection. By opening this memorial site, we want to remember the victims and the survivors. We have not forgotten, and we will not forget.

But remembrance must also be a call to action. 

Today therefore we commit again to work together to end this cycle of violence and to ensure that the community is given the opportunity to heal and live in security and with dignity.

I therefore call on this occasion for an expeditious implementation of the Sinjar Agreement of 2020, so that Sinjar can finally benefit from a functioning administration, a local police force, and the reconstruction projects that people deserve.

Administrative stability and security will also allow more displaced people to return, so that displaced camps can be finally closed.

We need to redouble our efforts to establish the fate of the Yazidis who are still missing, free anyone who is still held captive, and support those with children born of rape.

In addition, we also need to expedite reparations for the victims under the relevant laws. Reparations are key to recognizing the harm done to survivors and assisting them in rebuilding their lives.

And we should be determined in ensuring the accountability of those responsible for the crimes committed against the Yazidis, and the other communities.  Fair trials are important to ensure real justice, and also to avoid blaming a whole community for the action of individuals from that community. 

Finally, we need to work together to promote knowledge and mutual understanding among all communities. This is a critical step to guarantee that such atrocities are not repeated.

Distinguished guests,

I commend the work done so far by the political authorities in Baghdad and Erbil, and urge further cooperation placing the interests of the survivors above politics. 

The international community as a whole stands with you in these efforts.  The UN through UNAMI, the UN humanitarian and development agencies, and UNITAD, continues to support Iraqi efforts to respond to the need of the survivors and to ensure that what we are remembering here today will never be repeated.

In the end, what is at stake is the future of the Yazidis in Iraq, and the future of Iraq as a country where diversity is celebrated as a source of richness rather than threat. 

Once again, I offer sincerest condolences, solidarity, and commitment to action.

Thank you.