Post by Daniel on Aug 19, 2015 11:59:25 GMT -5
Montreal Jew frantically negotiates for release of IS’s Yazidi sex slaves
By Cathryn J. Prince August 19, 2015
NEW YORK – Standing idly by was never an option for Steve Maman as images of Iraq’s brutalized Christian and Yazidi people marched across television screens in his Montreal home and filled the 42-year-old’s Twitter feed.
“The defining moment for me was when ISIS portrayed pictures of children crammed up in a cage dressed up in orange jumpsuits while outside a soldier held a flame to them. I said to myself, ‘Steve, you’re going to act,’” Maman said in a telephone interview with The Times of Israel this week.
The Montreal Jewish businessman and father of six founded a non-profit, The Liberation of Christian and Yazidi Children of Iraq (CYCI). Since its inception eight months ago, CYCI has successfully negotiated the release of nearly 130 women and girls from ISIS controlled areas in Iraq.
Since the Islamic State (commonly referred to as IS or ISIS) took over Mosul, Iraq, in June 2014, its followers have raped and sexually abused thousands of women and children, most of whom are Yazidi and Christians. Many have also been sold as sex slaves and brides to Islamic State fighters.
ISIS militants subject the women and children to inhumane conditions. Malnourished, the prisoners are forced to sleep in cages at night, according to the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights.
At least 2,700 more women and girls remain in captivity, Maman said, adding that his group’s mission will end when all are freed.
Canon Andrew White, formerly the pastor of St. George’s, Baghdad’s largest church, introduced Maman to a network of contacts.
According to White, it costs between $1,000 to $3,000 to liberate each woman and girl from the hands of ISIS. CYCI negotiates with brokers in ISIS controlled territories for their release. Most of the women and girls have endured extreme physical and sexual abuse.
“You have to buy them out. There’s no other way,” White said in a telephone interview.
While Canada will not negotiate with terrorist organizations such as ISIS, there is no law prohibiting nonprofits from pursuing the kind of work Maman’s organization is doing.
continue reading
www.timesofisrael.com/montreal-jew-frantically-negotiates-for-release-of-iss-yazidi-sex-slaves/
By Cathryn J. Prince August 19, 2015
NEW YORK – Standing idly by was never an option for Steve Maman as images of Iraq’s brutalized Christian and Yazidi people marched across television screens in his Montreal home and filled the 42-year-old’s Twitter feed.
“The defining moment for me was when ISIS portrayed pictures of children crammed up in a cage dressed up in orange jumpsuits while outside a soldier held a flame to them. I said to myself, ‘Steve, you’re going to act,’” Maman said in a telephone interview with The Times of Israel this week.
The Montreal Jewish businessman and father of six founded a non-profit, The Liberation of Christian and Yazidi Children of Iraq (CYCI). Since its inception eight months ago, CYCI has successfully negotiated the release of nearly 130 women and girls from ISIS controlled areas in Iraq.
Since the Islamic State (commonly referred to as IS or ISIS) took over Mosul, Iraq, in June 2014, its followers have raped and sexually abused thousands of women and children, most of whom are Yazidi and Christians. Many have also been sold as sex slaves and brides to Islamic State fighters.
ISIS militants subject the women and children to inhumane conditions. Malnourished, the prisoners are forced to sleep in cages at night, according to the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights.
At least 2,700 more women and girls remain in captivity, Maman said, adding that his group’s mission will end when all are freed.
Canon Andrew White, formerly the pastor of St. George’s, Baghdad’s largest church, introduced Maman to a network of contacts.
According to White, it costs between $1,000 to $3,000 to liberate each woman and girl from the hands of ISIS. CYCI negotiates with brokers in ISIS controlled territories for their release. Most of the women and girls have endured extreme physical and sexual abuse.
“You have to buy them out. There’s no other way,” White said in a telephone interview.
While Canada will not negotiate with terrorist organizations such as ISIS, there is no law prohibiting nonprofits from pursuing the kind of work Maman’s organization is doing.
continue reading
www.timesofisrael.com/montreal-jew-frantically-negotiates-for-release-of-iss-yazidi-sex-slaves/
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