The Elias family, who fled their homeland in Iraq 14 years ago, seeks urgent reunification with their remaining family members still living in Turkey. Their plight is a result of the genocide of around 400,000 Yazidi people, an atrocity perpetrated by ISIS, as designated by the United Nations.
While part of the Elias family found refuge in Winnipeg, other relatives have been stranded in Turkey, where they continue to face dire circumstances. Hasso Elias, 30, recounted the traumatic events of August 3, 2014, when ISIS attacked Yazidi villages, prompting mass displacement. "It was one of the hardest days of my life," Hasso shared, emphasizing the desperation that forced families, including his own, to flee on foot.
During their escape, many Yazidis succumbed to starvation and dehydration. Hasso’s sister, Nora Elias, 29, spoke of the horrors that ensued: "They were taking girls; they were killing men, women, and children." Hasso and his family initially fled to Syria before enduring three years in a Yazidi refugee camp in Turkey, where conditions were severe. "It was like a prison," Hasso described, noting the absence of educational and employment opportunities.
The Yazidi community, primarily based in northern Iraq, has faced systemic persecution. A United Nations report in 2016 confirmed that the crimes against the Yazidi were tantamount to genocide, emphasizing the ongoing plight of Yazidi survivors who remain displaced. "The life was so hard in Iraq. We had no chance in education or a good life," Nora lamented.
The Elias family was among the 1,200 Yazidi families brought to Canada through a United Nations resettlement plan for ISIS survivors in 2017. However, many relatives of the Elias family were not as fortunate, with Hasso's extended family kept in an ISIS refugee camp where his uncle was killed in 2015. His aunt and her children escaped to Turkey in 2020 but have faced ongoing difficulties, currently residing in an abandoned building after being moved from a freed refugee camp.
According to Nafiya Naso, a representative from the Canadian Yazidi Association and Operation Ezra, there are still hundreds of thousands of Yazidi refugees in camps across Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, with many having no other options. Naso explained that the Yazidis were initially placed in mixed refugee camps but were later segregated for their safety due to ongoing persecution from other groups.
Hasso and Nora report receiving daily phone calls from their aunt’s family in Turkey, inquiring about the status of their private sponsorship applications, filed five years ago. "It is very hard for us and for our extended family in Turkey, especially because their safety is at risk," Hasso said, voicing fears of their potential return to a war zone should the Canadian government fail to act.
Recent developments indicate some progress, as Hasso received a call from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding the family's application, marking the next stage of the immigration process. The extended family is traveling to Ankara for interviews and medical assessments, critical steps before visa approval.
Nora expressed hope for a brighter future, stating, "We are trying to find them a home, a safe place, like us." She dreams of reuniting with her family, offering support and opportunities for education and employment. Naso urges Canadian authorities to expedite the application process, emphasizing the urgency due to the family's precarious situation in Turkey.
The IRCC has stated it cannot comment on individual cases due to privacy concerns but has informed applicants they can seek assessment from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Although IRCC acknowledges the challenges faced by the Yazidi community, it processes applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Manitoba government has expressed solidarity, with local officials reaching out to Canada's immigration minister to advocate for the Elias family's urgent processing. Hasso and Nora remain hopeful, longing for the day they can welcome their loved ones at the airport, assuring them of safety and stability in Canada. "One of the first things I think about is to hug them and let them know they're in a safe and peaceful place now," Hasso expressed, encapsulating the hope that sustains them through this challenging journey.
