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 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.

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.