Yazidi Female Survivors Law (Law No. 8 of 2021)

The Yazidi Female Survivors Law (Law No. 8 of 2021) was adopted by the Council of Representatives (Iraqi Parliament). The Government of Iraq is responsible for implementing the law through the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the Directorate for Survivors’ Affairs. Survivor Advocacy Groups: Play a critical role in pushing for the law’s adoption and monitoring its implementation.

The law establishes a framework for reparations and support for survivors of atrocities committed by ISIS, specifically targeting Yazidi women and children and other ethnic and religious minorities. The law provides survivors with financial compensation, access to education and employment, psychological and medical care, and measures for social reintegration. It also mandates the establishment of a Directorate for Survivors’ Affairs within the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to oversee implementation. The law was passed in the aftermath of the ISIS occupation of northern Iraq (2014–2017), during which thousands of Yazidi women and girls were subjected to sexual slavery, forced marriage, and other grave abuses.  

According to UN estimates, over 6,400 Yazidis were abducted by ISIS, and nearly 3,000 remain missing as of 2021.[1] This law was a response to long-standing demands by survivors and human rights organizations for recognition and justice, as it explicitly acknowledges the genocide against Yazidis. Survivors are entitled to a monthly stipend of IQD 1,000,000 (approximately USD 685), alongside access to housing, healthcare, and education. The creation of the Directorate for Survivors’ Affairs centralized survivor assistance, processing over 1,200 applications for reparations in its first year. Many survivors, particularly those still in displacement camps or outside Iraq, face barriers to accessing the benefits provided under the law, while in some locations awareness on accessing the law remains low. Survivors, especially those with children born of rape, continue to face societal discrimination, hindering their reintegration. The reparations program relies heavily on Iraq’s strained budget, delaying payments and other forms of support.

Overall, the Yazidi Female Survivors Law is a landmark piece of legislation that addresses the complex needs of survivors of ISIS atrocities. Its comprehensive approach, which includes reparations, social services, and acknowledgment of genocide, reflects Iraq’s commitment to transitional justice and minority rights. However, the law’s implementation has faced significant hurdles. The lack of funding and capacity within Iraqi institutions has delayed the delivery of benefits, while societal stigma continues to undermine survivors’ reintegration. Moreover, the law does not adequately address the plight of children born of rape, many of whom face legal and social barriers.

[1] UNHCR. “UNHCR Appeals for Missing Yazidis.” (2021). Available at: unhcr.org