Based on the evidence heard by the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development during the course of its October and November 2016 study on the human rights situation of the Yezidis, Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq, the Subcommittee recommends that the Government of Canada:

RECOMMENDATION 1

in the development of its three-year strategic plan for engagement in Iraq and Syria, be mindful of measures for immediate action to protect the most vulnerable, particularly ethnic and religious minorities.

RECOMMENDATION 2

continue to work with its international partners to support efforts to establish local consensus regarding protection and security for Yezidis, Chaldo-Assyrian Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities in Nineveh.

RECOMMENDATION 3

prioritize the identification of groups that may be at-risk of future violence and, in cooperation with international partners, develop post-conflict strategies to protect these groups.

RECOMMENDATION 4

in an effort to deter further Daesh-inspired terrorism, support the capacity of judicial bodies to prosecute guilty parties under criminal offences such as murder, theft, rape and destruction of property and not under terrorism charges. Further, the Government of Canada should assist in the establishment of a “specialized war crimes chamber” within the existing local Iraqi court system to prosecute cases involving genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes.

RECOMMENDATION 5

through its three-year strategic plan for Iraq and Syria and other initiatives, work towards the prevention of future atrocities and human rights violations against Iraq’s ethnic and religious minorities, by systematically promoting and building capacity to provide long-term security for Iraq’s most vulnerable communities. The Government of Canada should take a long-term approach and work with affected communities and relevant authorities to support the rule of law and good governance, with a view to combating extremism, including by:

• supporting peaceful dispute resolution between communities returning to liberated territories, including through truth and reconciliation initiatives addressing atrocities committed by local Daesh fighters, and the use of local mediators to resolve other grievances likely to disrupt intercommunal relations;
• encouraging minority representation in the administration of their home territories, including in respect of security and law-enforcement, and taking advantage of opportunities to share Canadian best-practices regarding decentralized governance;
• continuing its support for the collection and preservation of evidence of serious crimes of international concern, including by advocating for the establishment of international investigative mechanisms and providing capacity-building assistance to the Government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government, either directly or through partners such as the Commission for International Justice and Accountability; and
• supporting local tribunals or other institutions through which Daesh fighters will be brought to justice, including through efforts to refine the existing legislative frameworks, enhance judicial capacity, and promote due process.