CIGE remains the primary KRI investigative authority with responsibility to investigate international crimes committed by ISIS against ethno-religious minorities from the Sinjar region and Ninevah Plains. To do this, CIGE collects physical and documentary evidence from a range of sources including individuals, physical locations and open sources. Evidence is collected, preserved and archived in accordance with Iraqi national law and aims to adhere to international law, international standards and best practices. This ensures that evidence can be used to facilitate fair, independent and impartial criminal proceedings before competent national, regional or international courts, to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes.

A significant focus of CIGE’s work has been the conduct of victim and survivor interviews. CIGE recognizes that ISIS targeted a diverse range of groups including Yezidi, Christian, Shia Turkmen, Kaka’i and Shabak communities and is committed to serving the victims from every affected community within its jurisdiction.

CIGE engages in targeted information gathering through cooperation with justice actors such as states, civil society organisations CSOs, and a variety of national and international entities to strengthen specific aspects of its investigations, evidence collection and analytical processes.