Iraqi Yazidi woman enslaved by IS to become UN goodwill ambassador
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 17 September 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iraqi Yazidi woman enslaved by IS to become UN goodwill ambassador, 17 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58189db123.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 17, 2016
Nadia Murad Basee, an Iraqi Yazidi woman who was raped and enslaved by the Islamic State, was appointed a UN goodwill ambassador.
The United Nations on September 16 appointed a new goodwill ambassador: a Yazidi woman who was raped, tortured and sold into sexual slavery by the Islamic State group in Iraq.
During an emotional ceremony at UN headquarters, Nadia Murad Basee Taha, 23, accepted the distinction from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, becoming the first trafficking victim to hold the position of UN goodwill ambassador for the dignity of survivors of human trafficking.
Murad said the IS committed genocide against the Yazidi minority group, killing her mother and brother and making her a sexual slave along with thousands of other Yazidi girls and women, many of whom have died since or still remain in captivity.
After three months of captivity, Murad was able to escape and resettle in Germany.
"Maybe I lived, so that I would be able to use my heart and soul and my words to be their voice," she said.
Ban said he had been moved to tears when he heard Murad's story.
"Nadia shows with her life how important it is to fight for trafficking victims," he said. "They deserve justice. And when we empower them, they can help transform our world."
Based on reporting by AFP and dpa
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
