Dutch woman on trial for enslaving Yazidis in Syria
Hasna Aarab faces charges for crimes against humanity and terrorism
A 33-year-old Dutch woman, Hasna Aarab, went on trial in the Netherlands for crimes against humanity on Monday. Aarab allegedly enslaved two Yazidi women in Syria between 2015 and 2016 while residing in Raqqa with her young son and her Islamic State fighter husband.
This marks the Netherlands as only the second nation to prosecute an alleged Islamic State member for crimes against humanity targeting Yazidis. The Yazidis, an ancient religious minority, combine elements of Zoroastrian, Christian, Manichean, Jewish, and Muslim beliefs. The Islamic State, which controlled large areas of Iraq and Syria from 2014 to 2017, viewed Yazidis as devil worshippers. They killed over 3,000 Yazidis, enslaved 7,000 women and girls, and displaced the majority of the 550,000-strong community from northern Iraq. Germany had previously convicted two individuals for similar crimes against Yazidis.
Aarab faces additional charges of being part of a terrorist organisation from 2015 to 2022 and for endangering her then 4-year-old son by taking him to a conflict zone. During the trial on Monday, she explained her departure to Syria was driven by feelings of alienation and depression in the Netherlands, not by a desire to join Islamic State. “I heard some stuff I did not think I would have to deal with IS atrocities,” she stated in court.
🚨🇳🇱DUTCH WOMAN STANDS TRIAL FOR ENSLAVING YAZIDI WOMEN AS PART OF ISLAMIC STATE
Hasna Aarab, a 33-year-old Dutch woman who joined Islamic State in 2015, went on trial in the Netherlands, accused of crimes against humanity for allegedly enslaving two Yazidi women in Syria.… pic.twitter.com/15vLWomoF7
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 14, 2024
In earlier procedural hearings, Aarab’s defence argued she was young and naive, left with the Yazidi women by her husband, but did not exercise authority over them. The defence will present its full case later this week.
Under Dutch universal jurisdiction laws, national courts can prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed abroad, provided there is a connection to the Netherlands.
What Other Media Are Saying
- JusticeInfo.net reports on the Netherlands’ first trial for crimes against Yazidis, highlighting universal jurisdiction, forced labor charges against Hasna Aarab, and community demands for accountability and compensation.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is Hasna Aarab?
Hasna Aarab is a 33-year-old Dutch woman on trial for crimes against humanity and terrorism.
What crimes is Hasna Aarab accused of?
Aarab is accused of enslaving two Yazidi women in Syria and being part of a terrorist organization.
Why is this trial significant in the Netherlands?
It marks the Netherlands as the second nation to prosecute an alleged Islamic State member for crimes against Yazidis.
What additional charges does Hasna Aarab face?
Aarab faces charges of endangering her son by taking him to a conflict zone and being part of a terrorist organization.
What is Dutch universal jurisdiction?
Dutch universal jurisdiction allows national courts to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed abroad.
