The Nuhanovic Foundation considers the decision by the Court of Appeal in The Hague to uphold Hasna A.’s conviction on all four counts an important step towards accountability for international crimes. The defendant was found guilty of preparatory and facilitative acts of terrorist crimes, participation in a terrorist organisation (ISIS), enslavement of a Yazidi woman as a crime against humanity, and leaving her minor son in a helpless situation. She was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment.
This is the first Dutch prosecution addressing crimes committed against the Yazidi community. The court found that the defendant made a substantial contribution to the enslavement of victim Z, a Yazidi survivor, by knowingly benefiting from her forced labor, giving her orders, and treating her as a slave – conduct that formed part of ISIS’s systematic attack on the Yazidi population and therefore qualified as a crime against humanity.
In the words of the Presiding Judge, the defendant “showed no concern whatsoever for the victim, instead exploiting her for her personal benefit, and treating her as a slave.” The court also upheld the conviction for leaving her son in a helpless situation within ISIS-controlled territory, and awarded Z. €15,000 in compensation for immaterial damage.
This case relied in large part on the testimony of Z., who testified across multiple proceedings. Her account, together with those of other Yazidi survivors, was central to the court’s findings. Participation in these proceedings has placed a considerable burden on her and on the wider Yazidi community.
The Public Prosecution Service demonstrated consistent attentiveness to the Yazidi community throughout these proceedings. This victim-centred approach sets an important standard for future cases.
Today’s ruling underscores that crimes committed under the so-called caliphate remain prosecutable and sets an important precedent for future cases. Thousands of Yazidi women and girls are still missing. While this judgment marks a significant step, accountability remains incomplete.
The Nuhanovic Foundation calls on states and international institutions to step up efforts to document these crimes, prosecute those responsible, and secure reparations commensurate with the full scale of the genocide against the Yazidi people. We will continue to monitor and support cases of this kind and stand alongside survivors in their pursuit of justice.
Contact: mail@nuhanovicfoundation.org
About the Nuhanovic Foundation
The Nuhanovic Foundation is a Netherlands-based non-profit organization dedicated to securing justice for victims and survivors of international crimes and serious human rights violations. We work globally, using the law as a tool to support survivors in their fight for truth, accountability, and reparations. Our approach combines strategic litigation, access to legal information, and capacity building within accountability frameworks.
