Press Release: Honoring the Past, Building the Future - Kocho Martyr’s Cemetery & New Kocho Village Bricklaying Ceremony

Note: This piece was originally published on the IOM Iraq website

Kocho, Sinjar, Iraq — On September 5, 2024, the community of Kocho, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Iraq, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq, and Nadia’s Initiative, hosted a significant event to both honor the memory of the past and lay the foundation for the future. The event began with the solemn opening ceremony of the Kocho Martyr’s Cemetery, followed by the bricklaying ceremony for New Kocho Village. 

Honoring the lost

The Kocho Martyr’s Cemetery has been constructed as a final resting place for the Yazidis from Kocho village who tragically lost their lives during the Daesh occupation.

“Growing up in Kocho, this was not the future I envisioned for my village. I had imagined a Kocho where I could follow in the footsteps of the village's women, like my mother, to raise a family and grow old alongside my friends and neighbors. The 2014 massacre changed everything. However, with this new village, we must continue to tell the story of Kocho and build a strong, vibrant community,” said Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Nadia’s Initiative founder.

This cemetery, built in response to the requests of survivors, marks 518 graves for the men, women, boys, and girls who were brutally murdered on August 15, 2014. Though only 153 remains have been returned to their families and buried here, the effort to exhume and return the remains of martyrs from mass graves across the region continues.

“The Kocho cemetery is not only the final resting place for the 518 innocent lives taken away too soon, but also a testament to the resilience and the courage of the Yazidi community, who have been waiting over a decade to bring their loved ones home,” said Giorgi Gigauri, Chief of Mission for IOM Iraq.

This tragic chapter in Kocho’s history, where over 500 men and boys were killed and around 1,500 women and children were taken captive by Daesh militants, stands as a painful reminder of the atrocities committed against the Yazidi community. The opening of this cemetery is a step towards healing and seeking justice for the Yazidi people, who endured unimaginable suffering during this genocidal campaign.

New Kocho village – A new chapter

On the same day, the community witnessed the bricklaying ceremony of New Kocho Village, a symbol of hope and resilience. This new village, supported by IOM Iraq, Nadia’s Initiative, UNDP Iraq, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will provide a home for over 130 families who survived the massacre. 

“The establishment of New Kocho Village, alongside the newly created Kocho cemetery, reminds us of the unimaginable suffering endured by the Yezidi community during the ISIS occupation. This sacred ground and the new village symbolize not only a place of rest for the souls of those who were taken brutally from us, but also a powerful testament to resilience and hope. USAID is honored to support the creation of the New Kocho Village, which will provide a home for over 130 families who survived the massacre. Through USAID and IOM’s assistance, the creation of the new cemetery stands as a lasting tribute to the courage and strength of the Yezidi people,” said Erin-Mone Marquez, USAID Iraq’s Acting Mission Director.

The construction of New Kocho Village is not just a reconstruction of physical structures, but a crucial component of the broader effort to deliver justice and reparations for the Kocho community.

"The rebuilding of New Kocho Village is not just a construction project; it is a powerful act of restoration and healing for the Yazidi community. This village will provide more than just homes; it will offer a renewed sense of hope, security, and dignity to those who have endured unimaginable suffering. For the Yazidis, New Kocho symbolizes the strength to reclaim their identity, rebuild their lives, and preserve their cultural heritage. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a crucial step towards justice, reconciliation, and a brighter future for the generations to come. UNDP along with its partners is honored to be a part of this project,” said Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative for Iraq.

The event included speeches and opportunities for interviews with representatives from IOM Iraq, Nadia’s Initiative, UNDP Iraq, and other key stakeholders. The ceremony was attended by diplomatic representatives, UN agencies, local and international NGOs, and members of the local community.

This dual ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength of the Yazidi community and both the Kocho Martyr’s Cemetery and New Kocho Village stand as enduring symbols of justice, remembrance, and the unyielding spirit of a community determined to rebuild and thrive despite the horrors of the past. 

For more info, please contact

Deepika Nath, Head of Public Information, IOM Iraq, iraqpublicinfo@iom.int

Lucy Woolliscroft Director of Communications, Nadia’s Initiative, press@nadiasinitiative.org    

Christine Cool, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications Iraq, UNDP Iraq, Christine.cool@undp.org