Addressing the Islamic State's Genocide Against the Yezidi at the Belgian Parliament

Abstract

On June 15 and 16, 2021, the Belgian Parliament held a hearing about the Islamic State’s genocide against the Yezidis in Iraq and Syria. Professor Zachary D. Kaufman testified, as did, among others, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, a survivor of the genocide.

This piece discusses the Islamic State’s genocide against the Yezidis, Belgium’s interest in that genocide, the Belgian Parliament’s resolution on the topic, transitional justice options for the genocide, and Professor Kaufman’s recommendations to the parliament.

Keywords: Criminal Law, International Law, International Criminal Law, Belgium, Yezidi, Yezidis, Yazidi, Yazidis, Genocide, Genocide Convention, Islamic State, Prosecution, Accountability, Terrorism, Foreign Terrorist Fighters, United Nations, International Criminal Court, Rwanda, Syria, Iraq