Yazidi genocide by Islamic State in Iraq and Syria ranked alongside Holocaust after UK recognition
Crimes of genocide were committed by Islamic State militants against an ancient religious community in Iraq and Syria, the UK has acknowledged.
It means the atrocities inflicted by the jihadist group on the Yazidis join those of the Holocaust, Rwanda, Srebrenica and Cambodia recognised by Britain.
The Kurdish-speaking minority were persecuted as ‘devil worshippers’ by IS after it seized large swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq in 2014.
Thousands of men were killed and women and children were enslaved and raped when the fanatics overran the ancestral home of the Yazidis.
The UK’s acknowledgement of genocide, the aim of which is to wipe out a nation or ethnic group, was announced ahead of events to mark the nine-year anniversary of the barbarous treatment of the Yazidis at the hands of IS.
Minister for the Middle East Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said: “The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of Daesh nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day.
“Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated.
“Today we have made the historic acknowledgement that acts of genocide were committed against the Yazidi people.
“This determination only strengthens our commitment to ensuring that they receive the compensation owed to them and are able to access meaningful justice.
“The UK will continue to play a leading role in eradicating Daesh, including through rebuilding communities affected by its terrorism and leading global efforts against its poisonous propaganda.”
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Britain’s position has always been a determination of genocide should be made by a court rather than by governments or other bodies.
The decision comes after the German Federal Court of Justice earlier this year upheld the landmark conviction of a former Daesh fighter for acts of genocide and crimes against humanity in Iraq and Syria.
Taha al Jumailly was sentenced to life after being found guilty of his involvement in the slaughter and abuse of the Yazidis.
This included the murder of a five-year-old girl he had enslaved and chained to a window, leaving her to die of thirst in scorching heat in 2015 in Iraq.
During his visit to Iraq earlier this year, including to the Kurdistan region, Lord Ahmad welcomed progress with the passage of the Yazidi survivors law, which will provide reparations to victims.
A commemoration event, which is being held in Baghdad, has been organised by Yazidi civil society organisations.
The UK’s Ambassador to Iraq, Steve Hitchen, will attend and confirm the UK’s announcement.
IS lost its last territorial stronghold in 2019, after being ousted by US-backed forces.
Despite this, the UK has said the group remains a serious threat in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere and supports international efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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