ISIS Militants in Iraq Have Forced Members of the Religious Minority to Convert to Islam, Pay a Tax, Flee or Face Execution

August 12, 2014 - Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee, today wrote a letter to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging him to create a humanitarian corridor to evacuate thousands of Yazidi people trapped by ISIS militants on Mount Sinjar in Iraq.  

“I am deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Iraq and the dire situation of the Yazidi people trapped by ISIS militants on Mount Sinjar,” Senator Boxer wrote. “As the chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee focused on human rights, I urge you to support the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to evacuate Yazidis who are sick and dying.”  

The Senator noted the important work the United Nations is doing with the United States, the United Kingdom and France to deliver humanitarian assistance to this vulnerable population. Thanks to action by Iraqi and Kurdish forces – along with air support from U.S. forces – between 20,000 and 30,000 Yazidis have been able to escape Mount Sinjar.  

“However, with thousands more Yazidis remaining on the mountain range, it is clear more must be done to protect these innocent men, women, and children,” Senator Boxer wrote. “I understand that the UN is working to establish a humanitarian corridor to allow more Yazidis to escape. I urge you to move expeditiously to support such a corridor that would provide multiple safe routes for the Yazidis to descend the mountain and move to a safe zone.” 

According to multiple news reports, ISIS has killed at least 500 Yazidi men, women and children to date, burying some of them alive and kidnapping at least 300 women as slaves.  

The full text of the letter follows: 

August 12, 2014 

His Excellency Ban Ki-moon
Secretary General of the United Nations
New York, NY 10017  

Dear Mr. Secretary General:  

I am deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Iraq and the dire situation of the Yazidi people trapped by ISIS militants on Mount Sinjar. As the chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee focused on human rights, I urge you to support the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to evacuate Yazidis who are sick and dying. 

As you know, according to multiple news reports, ISIS has committed massive human rights abuses during its campaign in Iraq, killing at least 500 Yazidi men, women and children to date. In particular, they have focused their abuse on women and children, including burying them alive and kidnapping at least 300 women as slaves. 

In addition, the militants have invaded the area of Sinjar and forced the Yazidi population – a religious minority – to convert to Islam, pay a tax, flee, or face execution. As a result, tens of thousands of Yazidis have been forced to seek safety on the Sinjar mountain range. The situation is extremely dire, as many elderly and children are dying of dehydration and starvation. 

I am pleased that the UN is working with the United States, the United Kingdom, and France to deliver humanitarian assistance to this vulnerable population and that Iraqi and Kurdish forces have taken action to allow 20,000-30,000 Yazidis to flee or be rescued in the vicinity of Mount Sinjar. However, with thousands more Yazidis remaining on the mountain range, it is clear more must be done to protect these innocent men, women, and children. 

I understand that the UN is working to establish a humanitarian corridor to allow more Yazidis to escape. I urge you to move expeditiously to support such a corridor that would provide multiple safe routes for the Yazidis to descend the mountain and move to a safe zone.  

Thank you for your attention to this important request.  

Sincerely,  

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator