Media coverage of Yezidi genocide survivors has been branded “sensational” and “exploitative” by psychologists and activists after recent coverage by Middle East media outlets.
The case of Ashwaq Haji Hamid, a Yezidi survivor who was tracked and threatened by her captor in Germany, once again garnered international attention following televised encounters with her captor in Baghdad, aired by Iraqi state media outlet al-Iraqiya and Saudi channel al-Arabiya last month.
The 19-year old, who was accompanied by her father, collapsed when she came face to face with the man who had held her captive near Mosul – a clear sign of trauma, according to psychologists.
“You destroyed my life. You robbed me of all of my dreams,” she told him in the encounter.
A physical response to the reminder of a traumatic experience is not unexpected. A 2018 report authored by lawyer Sherizaan Minwalla and academic Johanna E. Foster revealed that 70 percent of survivors felt women experienced “strong negative emotional and physical responses” when being interviewed about their captivity.
Dr Jan Ilhan Kizilhan is a Yezidi psychologist who played an integral part in the flagship German programme to rehabilitate Yazidi women.
“Many traumatized people cannot tell the difference between the past and present. The body collapses because they want to escape this memory of rape and violence,” he told Rudaw English via email, referring to the video published by Al-Iraqiya last month.
Kizilhan criticized media outlets for their coverage of Ashwaq’s case.
“Such confrontations, if necessary at all, must be prepared by experts, with professional care before and after,” he added.
Dutch journalist Brenda Stoter Boscolo conducted more than 20 in-depth interviews with Yezidis for her book on the genocide, Het Vergeten Volk (The Forgotten People).
She commended Hamid’s resilience for agreeing to the televised encounter.
“She was very strong for doing that. From her perspective, I completely understand why she turned to the media... but I blame the TV maker. The way it was done was disrespectful,” she added.
Foster and Minwalla’s report on media coverage of Yezidi women found that up to 85 percent of Yezidi women interviewed had been subject to unethical journalistic practices, including being forced to speak about sexual violence, having their photographs published without their permission, and gross breaches of privacy.
Pari Ibrahim, founder of the Free Yezidi Foundation, described general media coverage of Yezidi survivors as “exploitative” and driven by ratings with “very little concern about the rights, wellbeing and wishes of Yezidi women”.Although they acknowledged media reporting is important to raise awareness of the Yazidi plight, they argue the wellbeing of survivors must take priority.
“The majority of journalists are aware of their responsibilities and we thank them for this work… [but] it is important to have a sensitive approach, with appropriate questions and care before, during and after the interview,” Kizilhan said. “The story is not more important than the person,” Ibrahim added.
Exploitation of Yezidi survivor trauma is not solely an issue among Middle Eastern outlets. The BBC has also been subject to criticism for its 2016 documentary in which a Yezidi woman met with one of her captors who claimed to have raped up to 200 women and girls.
Many figures within the community have highlighted their reliance on the media to broadcast their plight to the world, as justice remains elusive.
“The international community and international media have demonstrated, maybe not on purpose, that the way towards success is through the media and public presentations of the crimes committed against our people,” Ibrahim told Rudaw English.
“Of course it is the survivor’s decision if she wants to participate. We absolutely cannot blame them, because they see there is not a real prospect for actual courtroom justice... that is why we have seen all sorts of public testimonies and efforts to show the world what has happened,” she added.
Boscolo agreed that the community looks to the media to ensure its plight is not forgotten.
“Yezidis turn to the media because they have to find someone to pay attention,” she said.
Above all, survivors need to be left in peace to heal.
“In my opinion, the best thing the media can do for survivors is to give them space, leave them alone, or at least consult with legal and psychological experts before building the story,” Ibrahim said.
“[Survivors] have suffered many losses and need peace, distance, and, above all, respect. Journalists also have to take that into account,” Kizilhan added.
by Holly Johnston
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