The genocide of the Yazidi people in Iraq in 2014 should not be forgotten. Nor should the effects that the community continues to suffer today.  

The tenth anniversary of the genocide of the Yazidi people in Northern Iraq was marked on August 3rd earlier this month. To further underline the importance of the anniversary, Mission East will also take part in the official memorial and panel debate at the UN-City in Copenhagen, on the 20th of August (NB: tickets sold out).   

“It’s of great importance not only to remember and to recognize the genocide and the atrocities committed against the Yazidi people, but also to keep the focus on the plight of the survivors. Their tightly knit community has been shattered, less than half of the 400.000 who had to flee their homes have been able to return, and many are still searching for their killed or abducted loved ones. Therefore, at the debate I will emphasize the importance of remaining engaged in the reparation process, continuing to identify victims and looking ahead for a long-term security plan in Northen Iraq”, says Betina Gollander-Jensen.  

She will participate in a panel debate with other stakeholders involved in the issue at the memorial in the UN City The debate will focus on the challenges of the current situation in Iraq today, including the security for Yazidis returning to their ancestral homeland in the Sinjar region as well as the hundreds of thousands who remain displaced, and the way forward. 

Trauma on Canvas Exhibited on the Day

Mission East is invited to take part due to our ten-year-long engagement in helping the victims. Following the assault in 2014 Mission East moved with our local partners to provide immediate humanitarian aid to Yazidi families who had lost everything. This was followed by aid to help them set up a sustainable livelihood as well as support to cope with the mental trauma that had been suffered, especially by women and children that had been abducted by ISIS.  

At the event the exhibition “Breaking the Silence” will also be on display. The paintings are works of art by Yazidi women as part of their rehabilitation overcoming the trauma of a sometimes years long captivity by ISIS. 

ISIS is no longer in charge in the area, but many of the same attitudes and prejudices that fueled their assault on the Yazidis remain. Mission East urges the Danish government to ensure justice and support an effective Iraqi national tribunal for the Yezidi people and the survivors of the horrific crimes of the ISIS.   

The Yazidis deserve the attention and the protection of the international community.  

The event is organized by International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Êzidi Cultural Association (Êzidi Kulturforening i Danmark, ÊCA). 

For more information about Mission East’s previous work in Iraq, read here: Irak – Mission East 

For more information about Mission East’s political standpoint, read here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/missioneast_yezidigenocide-humanitarianaid-activity-7225045643600240641-Dusv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop  

Find the full program of the event here: (9) docUNight: Mediha | Facebook