Iraqi Yazidi woman who was enslaved by ISIL is named UN goodwill ambassador

Special to WorldTribune.com

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Nadia Murad Basee, an Iraqi Yazidi woman who was raped and enslaved by the Islamic State, was appointed a UN goodwill ambassador.

The story of Nadia Murad Basee, an Iraqi Yazidi woman who survived sexual slavery at the hands of ISIL, moved UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to tears. / Reuters
The story of Nadia Murad Basee, an Iraqi Yazidi woman who survived sexual slavery at the hands of ISIL, moved UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to tears. / Reuters

The United Nations on Sept. 16 appointed a new goodwill ambassador: a Yazidi woman who was raped, tortured and sold into sexual slavery by the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL).

During an emotional ceremony at UN headquarters, Nadia Murad Basee Taha, 23, accepted the distinction from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, becoming the first trafficking victim to hold the position of UN goodwill ambassador for the dignity of survivors of human trafficking.

Murad said the ISIL committed genocide against the Yazidi minority group, killing her mother and brother and making her a sexual slave along with thousands of other Yazidi girls and women, many of whom have died since or still remain in captivity.

After three months of captivity, Murad was able to escape and resettle in Germany.

“Maybe I lived, so that I would be able to use my heart and soul and my words to be their voice,” she said.

Ban said he had been moved to tears when he heard Murad’s story.

“Nadia shows with her life how important it is to fight for trafficking victims,” he said. “They deserve justice. And when we empower them, they can help transform our world.”

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