Iraq Confirms Exclusion of Yazidi Kidnappers from Amnesty Law

The Iraqi Judicial Council has confirmed that individuals responsible for the kidnapping and enslavement of Yazidis and other communities will not receive amnesty under the recent amendments to the General Amnesty Law, Kurdistan 24 reported. This decision comes amid significant controversy, with Yazidi lawmakers cautioning that the law could still allow for the release of terrorists accountable for atrocities in Iraq.

Vian Dakhil, a Kurdish Yazidi member of the Iraqi Parliament, expressed strong opposition to the broader amnesty law, arguing it could absolve many involved in the genocide of Yazidis. Mahma Khalil, another parliamentarian, withdrew from the session in protest, calling the law a “grave injustice.”

Judge Ali Hussein Jaffat emphasized that the 2016 General Amnesty Law explicitly excludes perpetrators of crimes against Yazidis, particularly those involving kidnapping and enslavement. This exclusion is reinforced by the Yazidi Survivors’ Law, which states that such criminals will not receive any form of amnesty.

While the exclusion has been welcomed, the broader amnesty law remains contentious. Sunni political factions advocate for reviewing terror convictions, arguing many were based on coerced confessions. Critics warn this could create loopholes for convicted terrorists seeking release, complicating the pursuit of justice for Yazidi survivors and other affected communities.