Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 23 November 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 December 2022. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Wednesday, 7 December 2022 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Yazidis: Missing Persons

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to determine the (1) fate, and (2) whereabouts, of Yazidi women and children who are missing from Iraq and Syria.

Answer: The Yazidi community has suffered immense pain and loss as a result of the abhorrent crimes inflicted by Daesh. The UK advocated strongly for the passing of the Yazidi Survivors' Law in March 2021 and the establishment of the Directorate of Yazidi Affairs. The Directorate is responsible for searching for survivors and supporting judicial and investigative bodies on holding perpetrators to account. In parallel, we have also provided £2 million to the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh (UNITAD). The UK joined likeminded partners in committing to support Yazidis displaced or abducted by Daesh in a Joint alliance statement issued in October 2021. We will continue to press the newly formed government on the importance of these issues, including searching for those missing Yazidi women and children abducted by Daesh.

Secondary information