Speech by Minister Veldkamp at the conference Yezidi Survivors: Pathways towards Justice and Resilience

Speech | 20-09-2024

Ladies and gentlemen,

Representatives of the Yezidi community,

It means a great deal to be here today as the new Dutch Foreign Minister. To be here and to listen. Because people need to know what happened to the Yezidi people.

And so, I would like to thank you, Naveen and Qassim, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing your personal stories. The brutal crimes you suffered have shocked the international community to its core…

I can only imagine how painful it must be to recount these experiences, time and time again… Stories that cut straight to the bone, but they need to be heard, because they must never be forgotten. And because impunity must never prevail.

And in that respect, there’s no better place to tell those stories than here, at the Peace Palace. Ten years ago, ISIS fighters believed they could do as they pleased. That they could act with impunity. But that’s for us to decide, not them. Impunity prevails only if the world allows the guilty to go free. And that is something we must never allow to happen.  

The Hague is known as the international city of peace and justice. These are principles that the Netherlands stands by and strives to uphold. And so we will always pursue the path to justice, no matter how strong the headwinds. Because giving up is not an option. That would mean giving up on the world we believe in.  

ISIS fighters must be held accountable, and focus should be on the survivors, while we strive to achieve justice for the victims and survivors of the horrific crimes that were committed. This requires more than words. It demands ongoing support, legal action and commitment.

We are committed to strengthening justice and accountability, including prosecuting crimes of conflict-related sexual violence. And let's call it what it is: rape. And we are working with partners to ensure that ISIS fighters face the consequences of their actions. Including those from our own continent. And those born on Dutch soil.

The Netherlands has led EU efforts to impose sanctions in the context of violence against women, especially in conflict situations. Another initiative we are working on – together with partners – is the establishment of an international tribunal. This path is fraught with political and legal hurdles and I do not want to raise expectations too high, but that’s no excuse for not seeking ways to make it work.

As Minister of Foreign Affairs, I will do everything I can to make this tribunal a reality. We specifically mentioned it in our new cabinet’s government programme. Not as a political point, but as a policy point. But this process will take time and we will inevitably face setbacks. In fact, the road to justice is filled with setbacks, as we saw with the ending of UNITAD’s mandate. But again: we will not give up. We will work with all our partners to ensure that testimony and evidence are kept safe and accessible for future prosecutions, including here in the Netherlands.

I can only imagine how hard the road to justice must be for you. With thousands of ISIS fighters guilty of terrible crimes and only a handful convicted, it is yet another ordeal for you. It’s incredibly frustrating to have to wait so long for justice, for such obvious crimes.

Please be assured that I will constantly keep all victims in mind. Their suffering and their interests will have my priority. And please know that the Netherlands will support you in any way we can.

By assisting your return to areas like Sinjar. By finding your loved ones who are still missing. By helping you rebuild your lives. And by backing the 'Yezidi Survivors Law’. Not only because it recognises the international crimes committed by ISIS, but also because it offers a path forward.

Much trauma and suffering remains, but today’s gathering, your conference, gives me hope: Qassim, you have shown immense resilience in the face of evil, and now you serve as a source of strength for many others. And so does Naveen. She faced her captor in court. She was forced to relive the horrors she faced, but at least the perpetrator is now in prison. This shows that courage and determination pay off.

To this day, Yezidi women and girls are still missing.To this day, Yezidi people are still suffering, trapped in a nightmare that has been going on for ten years. And yet they carry on.

No one can take away your pain. Our pain. Yet no matter how strong the headwinds may be, we can and we must keep fighting for a focus on your suffering.

That is our solemn duty.

Thank you.