UN Human Rights Committee complaint against Türkiye regarding airstrikes against Yazidi civilians in Sinjar

Monday 31 July 2023: Four Iraqi citizens, all Yazidi, have filed a complaint against Türkiye for redress and reparation following airstrikes by the Turkish air force against civilian hospital, Sikeniye Medical Clinic in Sinjar, Iraq, on 17 August 2021. The airstrikes resulted in the killing of 8 civilians and serious injury to over 15 others. The complaint is brought by female-led Yazidi NGO, Women for Justice, who acted as intermediary for the Complainants - victims/ survivors of the air strikes.

The Complaint, that follows a two-year investigation, is the first case to be brought before an international tribunal on the issue of Turkish airstrikes in Sinjar, Iraq. There have been no formal investigations into the airstrikes, or accountability for the killing and serious injury to civilians resulting. Air strikes by the Turkish air force in Sinjar are ongoing, resulting in continuing insecurity in the region and hampering the return of survivors of the Yazidi genocide to their homeland.

The Complaint was filed with the assistance of the Accountability Unit and a team of international lawyers, including Tatyana Eatwell and Aarif Abraham of Doughty Street Chambers and Soraya Bauwens of 1MCB.

Press: ‘UN complaint lodged over Turkish airstrikes on hospital in Iraq’, The Guardian, 31 July 2023: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/31/un-formal-complaint-turkish-airstrikes-civilian-hospital-iraq