Dutch woman faces trial for enslaving Yazidi women in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A 33-year-old Dutch woman, Hasna Aarab, is standing trial in The Netherlands, accused of crimes against humanity for allegedly enslaving two Yazidi women during her time with ISIS in Syria.
Aarab reportedly kept the women as domestic slaves between 2015 and 2016 while living in Raqqa, northern Syria, with her son and her ISIS militant husband.
In addition to charges of slavery, Aarab is being prosecuted for membership in a “terrorist organization” from 2015 to 2022 and for endangering her 4-year-old son by bringing him into a conflict zone, according to Reuters.
Appearing in court, Aarab acknowledged the presence of the Yazidi women, referred to as Z. and S., in the home but denied witnessing any mistreatment.
When confronted with testimony from Z. about abuse and threats, Aarab said, “It was clear she was a slave, but I didn’t notice any abuse.”
She also claimed she had no control over the women and was herself under the dominance of her husband.
In August 2014, ISIS attacked the Yazidi community in Iraq, killing more than 3,000 Yazidi men, women and children, and abducting at least 6,800 primarily women and children, according to a report by the Amnesty International.