He collects stories from ISIS ongoing genocide

Svensk version av texten: Han samlar berättelser om Islamiska statens folkmord

– We need to bring these criminals to court, says Khalis Ayshoa Esttaifo, former member of the Parliament and initiator to the documentation of the assault on Christians in Iraq.

Approximately 60 volunteers have been working with Schlomo for the last four months collecting evidence, according to Khalis Ayshoa Esttaifo. Some of the volunteers have been working up to 14 hours every day, collecting evidence and meeting victims. The documentation includes photos, films and reports.

The documentation includes, among other things, a list of 51 Iraqi Christians recently kidnapped and being held captive by ISIS. Further, a list of 1 131 Christians killed in Iraq for religious reason between 2003 and 2014 is set up (before the attack of ISIS). The list reveals names, dates, places and procedure.

– A majority of those killed were young persons, says Khalis Ayshoa Esttaifo.

Visiting the small office in company of Lars Adaktusson, member of European Parliament and Swedish politician, we find the testimonies collected in folders and binders. On the wall, a collection of testimonies from different villages tells the stories of its people. 94 families who fled the small Christian village Telskuf on Nineveh have been interviewed. Today, the village is a ghost Town.

It is difficult to find precise information about the number killed during the past two years. Documentation can be crucial regarding the possibilities to bring those responsible to account at the International Court of Justice in den Haag, Netherlands, responsible for questions on Genocide and crime against humanity.

The documentation project is financed by private sponsors, among others the initiator. All data is stored digitally.

– It is an impressive and very important work, says Lars Adaktusson commenting on the documentation.

Data from the documentation made by Schlomo has formed the basis for a statement from John Kerry, Foreign Minister of the US, calling the attacks on Christians on Nineveh a Genocide. The data is collected in collaboration with catholic and orthodox churches in Iraq.

Translation: Inger Alestig

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Fakta:

• Zakiya, female, 8/6 2014:

  My family and I left few hours before Daesh entered the city. My brother was detained by Daesh for three days they gave him 70 lashes. Afterward, he returned home to Baghdida and was barely able to move because of the beatings and torture.

  Hanna, male, 8/6 2014:

  On the morning artillery shells landed near my house and killed few people and some fragments got into my house. That had some psychological effect on me and scared me so I decided to save my life and that of my family and leave town.

  Khudir, male, 8/22/2014:

  Daesh members drove us out of our house by force….. They took everything we had such as money and gold and identification and official documents…. They kidnapped our daughter and she is still with them… When I asked for my daughter, they threatened to slaughter me.

  Yazi, female, 8/6/2014:

  My husband who was in Baghdida was killed because he refused to become a Muslim. That's what I learned over the phone from Mullah (Imam) XXX who is still there in town.

  Najiba, female, 8/6/2014

  My brother was kidnapped on 6/10/2014 in his way to Mosul from Baghdad… He was kidnapped and tortured. I saw a video on 6/20/2014 in which I saw my brother hung with signs of torture in his body. Members of Daesh called us more than 20 times threatening to behead my brother. I didn't hear about him since 6/20/2014.

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