Frank Schwabe, Religion and Faith Coordinator: “Providing the Ezidi community with a future prospect for their homeland remains a key issue for the federal government, especially since the Bundestag officially recognized the atrocities against the Ezidis as genocide in January last year. This is linked to Germany’s firm determination to protect the Ezidi community, which was influenced by the atrocities of 1990. am We continue to support the reconstruction, reconciliation and overcoming of the terrible experiences of the people who suffered in Iraq. The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that the crimes committed by the Kurds are accountable to the Iraqi central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government. am “The crimes committed will be dealt with and the families of the survivors and the missing will be compensated.”
Iraq is experiencing a period of relative stability, but the aftermath of the war brought on by the so-called Islamic State (IS) still remains. Today, there are approximately 1.2 million internally displaced people in Iraq, including many members of the Ezidi community. The situation has improved, but those affected by the conflict continue to face great difficulties. This is what North Korea is like after the withdrawal. am It is still badly damaged. Returning to the liberated areas around Sinjar remains difficult.
Swabia: “Germany supports the Iraqi government in ensuring a safe and dignified life for the Ezidis in Iraq. I have been getting an idea of the situation for the past few days. I know that there are difficult debates within the Ezidi community about the future of the country. That is why I have been talking to various Ezidi representatives about what life in Sinjar will look like for the Ezidis. My goal is to understand what the biggest obstacles are to returning to Sinjar and how we can help reduce those obstacles.”
As part of this trip, Schwabe spoke to religious and civil society activists, representatives of the Iraqi central government, and representatives of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government about the prospects of genocide survivors and internally displaced persons. The situation of other religious communities was also a topic of discussion during Swabia’s visits to Mosul, Erbil, and Sinjar.
The development department’s promise (BMZ) in northern Iraq is part of the commitments made throughout Iraq. The goal is to contribute to political, social and economic stability and to lay the foundations for peaceful coexistence. The principle applies that assistance should benefit all those affected by the conflict, regardless of race or religion. The focus is on vulnerable people, including those affected by so-called atrocities. am It has particularly affected the Ezidi population. In terms of support measures, BMZ In Sinjar, the focus is on rebuilding basic infrastructure and residential buildings, restoring livelihoods, especially in the agricultural sector, and psychosocial care. BMZ Additional funding of 15 million euros will be provided this year to strengthen Sinjar’s local infrastructure. This will be used, among other things, to repair severely damaged residential buildings. In addition, water stations and distribution networks are being restored, and new water storage facilities are being built to supply water to local residents.
