03/08/2026
Commemoration of the 12th Anniversary of the Yazidi Genocide in Sulaymaniyah
3 August 2026 – Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region
Today, Monday, 3 August 2026, on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the genocide committed against the Yazidi community by ISIS (Da'esh), a photo exhibition was opened at the Red Security Museum (Amna Suraka) in Sulaymaniyah. A press conference was also held during which a joint statement by anti-genocide organizations was presented.
Statement
On 3 August 2014, the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS/Da'esh) occupied the district of Sinjar in Nineveh Province. With the occupation of Sinjar, ISIS launched a systematic campaign of genocide against the Yazidi people. Thousands of Yazidi men and boys were brutally murdered, while women and girls were abducted, enslaved, subjected to sexual violence, and sold in slave markets.
This atrocity was not an isolated event but part of a long history of persecution against the Yazidis. Throughout history, the Yazidi community has endured more than 73 campaigns of persecution ("Firmans"), each aimed at eradicating one of Kurdistan's oldest indigenous religious communities. The genocide was motivated both by religious hatred and by attempts to destroy an ancient culture that represents tolerance, coexistence, and human civilization.
According to the latest available figures:
1,512 people were killed.
1,615 remain missing.
4,132 abductees have been rescued.
A total of 7,259 people were directly affected.
Approximately 270,000 people were displaced.
101 mass graves have been discovered and exhumed.
6,417 Yazidis were abducted, including 3,548 women and girls and 2,869 men and boys.
At least 274 abductees were executed by ISIS.
29 survivors have been recovered from mass graves.
Our Demands
On this solemn anniversary, we call for:
The publication of the full investigation into the fall of Sinjar and the accountability and prosecution of all officials and armed groups responsible for failing to protect the population.
Fair financial and moral reparations for Yazidi victims and survivors by the Government of Iraq.
Iraq to ratify the Rome Statute and become a State Party to the International Criminal Court (ICC), helping ensure that atrocities such as the Sinjar genocide are never repeated.
The acceleration of the safe and dignified return of displaced Yazidis, together with adequate financial support for reconstruction and housing.
The urgent excavation, forensic examination, and identification of all remaining mass graves.
Sustainable political stability and security in Sinjar, including reducing the presence of competing armed groups.
Comprehensive psychological, social, and medical support for Yazidi women and girls who survived sexual violence, particularly those with children born during captivity.
Strengthening peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among the Yazidi community and all religious and ethnic communities.
Intensifying efforts to locate all women and children who remain missing.
Accelerating the reconstruction of Sinjar's destroyed infrastructure and public services.
Preventing the resettlement of former ISIS members or affiliates near Yazidi communities.
Protecting the historical, religious, and cultural identity of Yazidi areas and preventing demographic change.
Ensuring meaningful political representation for the Yazidi community, including dedicated representation in the Kurdistan Parliament and participation in public institutions.
Criminalizing the denial of the Yazidi genocide and adopting legal measures against genocide denial.
