On August 29, 2023, the Higher Regional Court of Munich affirmed the conviction of ISIS member ‘Jennifer W.’ and increased her sentence from 10 to 14 years imprisonment. The judges highlighted that the defendant neglected the Yazidi victims' human rights because of their religious beliefs and that in enslaving them she intentionally furthered ISIS’ policy of destroying the Yazidi religion – aggravating factors that have not been considered by the first instance court when deciding on the sentence.
It has been nine 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.
Nadia Murad met the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in Berlin to discuss the desperate plight of refugees across the world. Reiterating that there are now over 100 million displaced people globally, Ms. Murad stressed the importance of finding sustainable and safe long-term solutions.
Nadia’s Initiative’s recent training program of nearly 500 volunteer teachers in Sinjar, funded by USAID, will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of these teachers and their students.
Behind every farm is a person with their own hopes, dreams, and challenges. That's why we take the time to listen to farmers, understand their unique needs, and provide customized support tailored to their individual situations.
"Our living situation has improved greatly since receiving the interim reparations, as has my psychological state. I am now managing my business, and I feel happy when I realize that I can support my family and community through my business," Safia said.
As the Yazidi community in Iraq continues to rebuild in the wake of genocide, construction of a cemetery and memorial in Solagh, Sinjar, has officially commenced. Launched by Nadia’s Initiative (NI) in 2021 in response to requests from the Yazidi community, NI spent the last two years designing the cemetery and memorial in partnership with community members and a Yazidi architect. This week, construction is officially underway with support from IOM Iraq and USAID.
It's been a long road, but we have finally reached the finish line! Basharoz Primary School has undergone a complete transformation, with a new look, new classrooms, and updated facilities. We are confident that our students will have the best possible learning experience in this new environment.
Nadia’s Initiative is working with Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA) to rehabilitate and furnish Solagh and Al Hateen(Dugure) primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in North and South Sinjar. The second healthcare project NI and HIA are collaborating on, once restored, these PHCs will provide access to quality healthcare for over 11,000 residents in the region.
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).
IDPs face a multitude of challenges as they return to their areas of origin to rebuild their lives. Nadia’s Initiative’s Emergency Livelihoods Support project has helped recently returned families in Aljzeera by rehabilitating their shelters.
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.
