On a beautiful day, the Yezidi community held a small Hill event to remember the eleven years since the Islamic State began its genocide against them in Iraq. The Yezidi speakers shared stories of courage and pain, but no members of Congress or senior administration officials attended. This event was a troubling symbol for how policymakers have forgotten their plight and a warning sign for decreasing interest from both Republicans and Democrats in the issue of religious persecution.
The Yezidi community has been clear on their needs for years: they want peace, to return to their homes to live in safety and dignity, and to account for missing loved ones. However, thousands of Yezidis still live in squalid displaced person camps around northern Iraq, a glaring failure by the international community and the Iraqi government. Despite global recognition of the ISIS atrocities, efforts have fallen short to see Yezidis return in large numbers.
Tragically, more than 2,500 Yezidi women and girls remain missing and unaccounted for. The U.S. and the international community can do more to help search for the missing, given the limited progress made so far. The Yezidis need Congress to remember their plight and provide resources, and the Administration to revive efforts begun during the first term to help them survive through political support and reconstruction assistance.
Yezidis are one of the most vulnerable religious minority communities in the entire Middle East, facing dangers similar to those of Christians and others like the Druze. The lack of participation by Members and officials signals an overall decline in support for U.S. religious freedom promotion abroad.
