Nadia Murad and Angelina Jolie made a joint visit to the Sinjar region of northern Iraq to mark progress made to redevelop the region and reflect on the needs of survivors eight years after the Yazidi genocide at the hands of the Islamic State (ISIS).

In a decision published last week, the German Federal Court of Justice confirmed the conviction against ISIS member Taha A.J. for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes committed against Yazidi victims in Fallujah, Iraq.

Today, Germany joined more than 18 countries and international bodies in formally recognizing ISIS' actions against the Yazidi people as genocide. This recognition not only shows survivors that the world is aware of, and condemns, the violence they suffered, but also shines a spotlight on what still needs to be done to help the community recover and prevent future acts of violence.

A criminal trial began today before the Higher Regional Court of the German city of Koblenz against a German ISIS member accused of aiding and abetting genocide following her abuse of a young Yazidi woman in support of ISIS’ campaign to wipe out the Yazidi community. 

As survivors of genocide and conflict-related sexual violence globally continue to struggle to rebuild their lives, our advocacy work has evolved to meet the changing needs of these survivors and their communities—and it will continue to adapt as new challenges arise.

The Nadia’s Initiative executive team participated in PSVI’s conference on prevention of sexual violence in conflict. NI is committed to centering survivors in all our redevelopment and advocacy work, emphasizing the importance of a bottom-up, survivor-centered approach to prevention and accountability.

This #GivingTuesday, Nadia’s Initiative is focusing on holistically empowering women in post-conflict settings to heal and rebuild their lives. Spread your holiday cheer to make a profound impact on the lives of women in Sinjar: https://nadia.la/GivingTuesday

Nadia Murad and NI have been underlining the vital importance of laying the foundations for a sustainable return to Sinjar for years. As more and more Yazidi families are fleeing the hopelessness of the IDP camps to return to their areas of their origin, we are grateful that some basic infrastructure and services are ready for them. But more support is urgently needed in these areas.

Nadia Murad joined experts to discuss how to better protect civilians in times of armed conflict and post-conflict reconstruction. Nadia emphasized that the tools exist to protect civilians, they only require the political will of the international community.

At this year’s Vienna Discussion Forum, Nadia Murad spoke about her experiences as a survivor, women's rights activist, and refugee, highlighting the need to address the root causes of gender-based violence and trafficking in migration, displacement, peacebuilding, and reconstruction.

I commend the Luxembourg Parliament for joining more than seventeen legislative bodies and international organizations that have officially recognized the Yazidi Genocide. As a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Luxembourg is sending a strong message to terrorist groups that they will not be granted impunity for genocide or sexual violence.

This year, NI founder Nadia Murad returned to Sinjar to attend the first Autumn Assembly that was held at the sacred site of Lalish since the genocide began. On her way there, Nadia was able to check in on bright young students returning to a rehabilitated school in Tabba village, as well as the progress of construction on NI’s brand new medical center supported by the French government.

Earlier this week, our founder Nadia Murad visited Sinjar, Iraq. During her visit, Nadia spoke with a number of Sinjar residents, survivors, and the NI Iraq team to learn about the needs of the community and the progress of NI’s work in Iraq.

During the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Nadia Murad spoke at a high-level meeting marking the 30th anniversary of the Declaration of Minority Rights.

Iraq needs a government that can act, not one paralyzed by corruption and infighting. The path to good governance is through peaceful democratic processes with government transparency and care for the will of the people. To progress together as a nation, all sides must refrain from violence and listen to each other to find a way forward.

PRESS RELEASE: The Human Rights Institute (HRI) at Georgetown Law and Nadia’s Initiative (NI) announced a collaboration to develop and advance innovative strategies to hold the Islamic State (ISIS) accountable for its crimes against Yazidis. The two organizations will work together to advance the rights of Yazidis affected by genocide and sexual violence.

It has been eight years since the Kocho massacre and the community still bears the trauma. Kocho community members deserve justice, support to rebuild, and memorialization initiatives to honor those who were lost and heal through collective remembrance.

Eight years ago, the peaceful Yazidi community in Sinjar was confronted with an unspeakable evil that would forever change their lives. By empowering women, supporting survivors, facilitating the return of displaced persons, and holding perpetrators accountable, we seek to end the ongoing genocide against the Yazidi community.

Nadia’s Initiative aims to amplify the voices of survivors, so they may share their memories, experiences, and hopes that have kept them moving forward despite all they have been through. Join us in amplifying survivors voices to honor August 3rd and the Yazidi Genocide.

Eight things wrong with the international response to genocide – and how to fix them.

Genocide. Sexual Violence. Enslavement. Marginalization. Oppression. Injustice.

The Yazidi community has endured all of the above & more before & since ISIS’ invasion in Sinjar in 2014. International action is needed. We urge you not to forget #August3rd and the #YazidiGenocide.

On 27 July 2022, the Higher Regional Court of Hamburg convicted German ISIS member Jalda A. of aiding and abetting genocide as well as of crimes against humanity and war crimes for the enslavement and abuse of a young Yazidi woman, “M”. The defendant was sentenced to five years and six months in prison.

Today, in the presence of Yazidi community members, clergymen, and community leaders, a ceremony was held to exhume the remains of Yazidi genocide victims from Sinjar found in mass graves in Qani village, Sinjar, Iraq.

Recently, Nadia Murad met with the President of the German Parliament, Ms. Bärbel Bas, in Berlin to urge the parliament to officially recognize the Yazidi Genocide and support efforts to stabilize security and service provision in the Sinjar region.

On 9 June 2022, European Council President Charles Michel co-hosted the second edition of “Women in Conflicts,” bringing together women leaders and survivors of conflicts. The event, co-hosted with UN Women, Nadia’s Initiative, and the Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation, focused on survivors, justice and reparations, and women’s leadership in conflict.

On 18 May 2022, the Paris Court of Appeal confirmed the indictment of the French multinational cement company LafargeHolcim SA (‘Lafarge’) for complicity in crimes against humanity committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (‘ISIS’) and other armed groups in Syria.

On Friday, May 20th, Nadia Murad received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Chapman University in Southern California for her work on behalf of survivors of sexual violence and the Yazidi community.

Press statement by victim’s counsel Amal Clooney, Sonka Mehner and Natalie von Wistinghausen, Yazidi NGO Yazda, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad.

Nadia marked Europe’s Day Against Impunity at the Hague, calling on leaders to commit to meaningful action to end impunity for genocide and sexual violence.

Nadia Murad spoke with Eleni Giokos about the vital importance of preventing and addressing the sexual violence happening in Ukraine and in conflicts throughout the world.