Destroying the Soul of the Yazidis: Cultural Heritage Destruction during the Islamic State’s Genocide against the Yazidis

This document presents the results of the investigation into cultural heritage destruction during the genocide against the Yazidis. It can be accessed through the website of the Research, Assessment and Safeguarding of the Heritage of Iraq in Danger (RASHID) International.

The document was released on 2 August 2019 by RASHID International, Yazda and the Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa Project (EAMENA). The report analyzes the destruction of Yazidi tangible and intangible cultural heritage as a significant facet of the Islamic State’s policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide. Evidence of destruction is collected and presented in context with other criminal acts. RASHID International e.V. is a worldwide network of archaeologists, cultural heritage experts and like-minded professionals dedicated to safeguarding the cultural heritage of Iraq. RASHID is registered as a non-profit organisation in Germany and in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 2019.

Some of the contents of the document are:

• Introduction to the Yazidi (Êzidî being the preferred term) people and their strong connection to their cultural heritage
• Overview of the genocide against the Yazidis
• Analyses of the relevant framework of international criminal law