7th Anniversary of ISIS Atrocities in Kocho Village

After two weeks of siege, ISIS began systematic executions and enslavement in Kocho village on August 15, 2014. At a burial ceremony for Kocho victims, Nadia Murad recalled, ”I remember as if it is now when I look at [the victims’ remains]. We were trapped from 3rd of August until 15th of August and this is not a short period. The village leader and other men were in continuous contact with different sides in order to negotiate a way out.”

“We are not victims of ISIS only. After ISIS left Sinjar, the area became a place for political conflicts. The issue today is that we are losing our dignity not only by killing, captivity, or uncertainty about over 2,800 people still in ISIS captivity. We lose our dignity when we see ourselves unable to return and live in our homes as freely as Iraqi Muslims and Christians. My wish is to return peoples’ dignity through rebuilding, compensating families, and building this village.”

Watch the above UNITAD video to learn more about the atrocities that took place in Kocho and the path to justice and accountability.