Telegram, the app at the center of the Islamic State organization’s slave trafficking

Human Trafficking Market of Yezidi Hostages

In the desolate streets scattered with burnt-out cars, a young Yezidi girl named Imane was rescued from the clutches of the Islamic State (IS) in July 2016. She had endured two years of captivity after being captured during the IS massacres in 2014. Sold as a slave by the militants, Imane was traded in cities like Mosul and Raqqa, with offers specifying that she “wets the bed.” This virtual market for IS hostages operated on the Telegram messaging platform and thrived unchecked until the group’s collapse in 2019.

Bahzad Farhan: Yezidi Activist

Bahzad Farhan, a Yezidi man in his thirties, dedicated himself to tracking the human trafficking of Yezidi hostages both online and in real life. Coming from a wealthy family and setting aside his business interests, Bahzad worked tirelessly to save Yezidi captives, identify their captors, and document the crimes committed against his community. With a focus on preserving the memory and evidence of the atrocities faced by the Yezidis, Bahzad founded the Kinyat association and collaborated with international human rights organizations to shed light on the sexual violence perpetrated by foreign IS recruits.

Yezidi Genocide and Efforts for Justice

According to a 2017 study, approximately 3,100 Yezidis lost their lives during the August 2014 offensive by IS forces, with many being executed or dying of starvation in dire conditions. Despite facing persecution and displacement throughout history, the Yezidi community has maintained its memory orally for thousands of years. In response to the genocide and atrocities perpetrated against his people, Bahzad Farhan’s unwavering determination and meticulous documentation efforts seek to ensure that the suffering and resilience of the Yezidis are not forgotten.