Initial progress towards international accountability of ISIS terrorists was achieved when Germany convicted ISIS member Taha A. He was charged with genocide of the Yazidi people, crimes against humanity and war crimes in accordance with the German Crimes against International Law Act (Völkerstrafgesetzbuch). This first-ever conviction of an ISIS member for genocide was achieved using the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows States to prosecute certain international crimes in national courts, even if there are no direct links with the country in which the trial is taking place. The rationale for this legal mechanism is that crimes such as genocide and torture are of exceptional gravity; therefore, it affects the fundamental interests of the international community as a whole. At the same time, the principle of universal jurisdiction is aimed at ensuring that persons who have committed crimes do not find refuge in third countries.

Although Germany has been a pioneer in this regard; the international community must continue to step up efforts to bring to justice those responsible for the international crimes of ISIS. This is especially important given that the UN mechanism for documenting the Atrocities of ISIS — the Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by ISIS (UNITAD) — has announced its intention to stop working after September 2024. And this is despite the fact that Yazidis see UNITAD as the only hope for meaningful justice in Iraq," according to a statement signed by 50 human rights organizations, given its tireless efforts to document and investigate the genocide campaign against Yazidis carried out by ISIS. Lacking a legal basis for using evidence obtained within the Iraqi justice system, or a strategy for moving forward without UNITAD's expertise, activists expressed concern about the possibility of losing progress and abandoning efforts to provide meaningful justice for survivors.

While the attention and priorities of the international community may change as new conflicts and crises arise, the focus on addressing past atrocities should continue to set a precedent for future criminals that their crimes have consequences. Unfortunately, efforts to establish much-needed closure and justice for the Yazidi community seem to have waned, and the victims had to come to terms with the events of August 2014. We must continue to fight for the return of the remaining Yazidi women and girls from ISIS families. Continue international efforts to ensure accountability. The international community must ask itself whether it is doing enough to put an end to and heal the victims. At the moment, the answer seems to be a resounding "no".