Title: The #Yazidi# s
Perceptions of Reconciliation and Conflict
Author: Dave van Zoonen,Khogir Wirya
Place of publication: #Erbil#
Publisher: Middle East Research Institute
Release date: 2017

This report focuses on the Yazidi* community, one of the largest minority groups in Iraq, and their perceptions on conflicts and future reconciliation following the Islamic States (#IS# ) invasion in 2014. The violence inflicted on this community by IS, combined with long-standing historical grievances, make their views on and attitudes toward the concept of reconciliation particularly relevant for the future stability of Iraq. By focusing on the question of what reconciliation means to the Yazidi community in Iraq, this study aims to map historic and more recent grievances, intra- and inter-community conflicts and tensions, and uncover community-held perspectives on conflict and reconciliation.
This report starts by placing emphasis on the need of avoiding imposing presumed definitions of reconciliation on the Yazidi context. Although the term itself has not yet been conclusively defined, peacebuilders and those engaged in reconciliation efforts after IS should be cautious about its usage and be clear as to what they mean by ‘reconciliation’ in their programmes. Failing to do this, significant efforts and financial resources those engaged in reconciliation efforts after IS should be cautious about its usage and be clear as to what they may be wasted or yield little return. In addition to mentioning Yazidism, this report also examines pre-IS dynamics in order to understand the attitudes well. To this end, the researchers have highlighted two factors that have largely shaped the socio-economic status of Yazidis: Their identity as an ethno-religious minority in Iraq’s system of governance, and (2) The ongoing land disputes and competition over resources between Baghdad and Erbil.[1]