About the Paper
This discussion paper addresses the challenge of stigmatization faced by families in Iraq with perceived ISIS affiliation, particularly in Anbar province, where many have lived in the al-Hol camp. This stigma arises from community beliefs about their connection to ISIS through male relatives or past residence in ISIS-controlled areas. Stigmatization impacts these families' ability to reintegrate and includes harassment, rejection, property appropriation, and legal and social barriers. The paper includes key research findings and policy recommendations in response to these findings.
About the Author
Osama Gharizi is a senior advisor for Iraq, the Gulf, and Yemen program at the United States Institute of Peace.
This research was funded by USIP’s Middle East and North Africa Center and the US Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. The views expressed in this discussion paper are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Institute of Peace.