TERZE TEHA

Sulaymaniyah- Many women in Iraq cannot get ID cards for their children, who were born as a result of rape, particularly by ISIS members. These children are deprived of their right to education and health because they don’t have ID cards. On December 25, 2018, a campaign called “My name is my mother’s name” was launched for these children and their mothers. Since then, nothing has been done to solve the identity problems of children by women’s organizations and NGOs in Iraq. The campaign has continued to support children and their mothers.

The campaigners have demanded Iraq's Law No. 3 concerning the National Identity Card be amended to solve the problems faced by these children and their mothers. According to the law, children have to be registered with the father’s surname. The Federal Kurdistan People's Development Organization has shared the activities of the campaign on social media. 

4000 children have no ID card

ISIS attacked Shengal on August 3, 2014. They abducted more than 6000 women and children. The fate of 3000 abducted women and children are still unknown. The women, who had to give birth to children as a result of rape of ISIS member, cannot register their children. On March 1, 2021, the Iraqi parliament passed the Yazidi (Women) Survivors Law. However, the situation of their children hasn’t been mentioned in the law. For this reason, nearly 4000 children have no ID card. These children cannot go to school without an ID card.

The petition has been signed by 27 MPs

Many organizations have carried out activities in Shengal to make the Yazidi community accept these children. The petition launched by Human rights and women organizations has been signed by many people, including 27 MPs.