Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) wants to use her voice to support Yazidis.Image: dpa / Kay Nietfeld
politics
The terrorist militia Islamic State (IS) took control of large areas in northern and western Iraq in 2014. During this time, tens of thousands People killed, abducted, enslaved and mistreated. A United Nations special investigation team has concluded that extremists in Iraq have committed genocide against the Yazidi religious minority.
Also Germany now wants to acknowledge the suffering of the Yazidis. Call it what it is: a genocide. A motion from the traffic light parties and the Union calls for this categorization. It also refers to a special responsibility of Germany.
Numerous mass graves were found in Iraq in 2016 – IS killed masses of Yazidis.Image: dpa / Benno Schwinghammer
This is derived from the fact that many members of the Kurdish community live in Germany. But also from the fact that the atrocities and massive human rights violations against Yazidis in Iraq and in Syria Islamist terrorists from Germany were also involved.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock finds clear words for the Yazidi diaspora in Germany – and worldwide.
Baerbock: Recognizing the genocide is the first step towards justice
In her speech, Baerbock explains that the commemoration of the genocide must also be seen as a mission. “As an order not to relax and to look for those who are still missing and kidnapped,” explains the Foreign Minister. She herself was in a Yazidi camp in northern Iraq three years ago. The experiences she made there have stayed with her to this day.
She talks about a woman she met there. This woman had been a sex slave until the man found a new slave. The Jesidin was allowed to go and take her son with her. Her two little daughters had to stay. It is one example among many.
Image: screenshot / instagram
In her Instagram story, Baerbock also explains the crimes against humanity committed by IS. In her speech in the Bundestag, the Foreign Minister said:
“That’s why I’m so grateful that we, together in the Bundestag, are accepting this task across parliamentary groups here today, in which we call these crimes by name: the genocide of the Yazidis and Yazidis.”
A question that the Greens Minister did not let go of: cell phone tracking made it known in 2014 where thousands Women and girls have been. Penned up in a school. Baerbock says: “We knew where the women were. That’s why we should also ask ourselves: ‘Why didn’t we act?'”
Of course, she adds, military considerations play a role in such decisions. Nevertheless, Baerbock demands that this question be asked again and again – in order to prevent such crimes in the future. on Instagram the minister also makes it clear: “The least we can do is use our voice for Yazidis.”
on Twitter Baerbock also explains that she is aware that no parliamentary resolution can undo the suffering of the Yazidis. She adds: “But I am deeply convinced that this decision makes a difference: a crucial step towards acknowledging the suffering and bringing justice to the survivors.”
The Foreign Minister is certain that it is an important contribution to ensuring that the genocide is not passed on from generation to generation. “We cannot undo this genocide,” she says. What Germany can do, however, is to ensure that the victims experience justice.
(With material from dpa)
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