Swiss Parliament Recognizes ISIS Crimes Against Yazidis as Genocide

The Swiss parliament on Thursday officially recognized the atrocities committed by the Islamic State (ISIS) against the Yazidi community as genocide, Jurist News reported.

The motion passed with a vote of 105 in favor and 61 against, condemning the systematic expulsion, rape, and murder of Yazidis, alongside the destruction of their cultural heritage.

The ISIS assault on the Yazidi heartland of Shingal in August 2014 led to approximately 5,000 deaths and the abduction of over 6,400 women and children, many of whom were subjected to sexual slavery. The United Nations Investigative Team (UNITAD) has classified these acts as evidence of genocidal intent.

Switzerland joins various nations, including the United States, Canada, and the European Parliament, in this recognition. Kurdish leaders continue to demand justice and reparations for victims, with ongoing efforts to support the Yazidi community, including international rescue missions and initiatives for family reunification.

In related developments, Swedish prosecutors have indicted a woman for crimes against humanity related to the enslavement of Yazidi women, while a Dutch court recently convicted an ISIL member for similar crimes.