The commemoration of the Yazidi genocide was recently held at the United Nations Office at Geneva, attended by Director-General Tatiana Valovaya, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, numerous Permanent Representatives, and diplomats. The Permanent Mission of France and Nadia’s Initiative, with the support of the ALIPH Foundation, brought together survivors, Member States, UN agencies, and international organizations to reaffirm their commitment to justice and accountability. UN Senior Correspondent Catherine Fiankan- Bokonga spoke to Nadia Murad to reflect upon her important human rights work and how past lessons can inspire future change when tackling such devastating issues.

French Ambassador Céline Jurgensen reminded participants that “there can be no peace without justice, and no justice without truth,” stressing that those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes must be identified, prosecuted, and held accountable. Twelve years after the Yazidi genocide, what more should Member States and the UN do?

Justice is not only about prosecuting those responsible. It also means recognizing the suffering of survivors, locating the missing, identifying victims recovered from mass graves, supporting reconstruction, and enabling displaced families to return home safely and with dignity. Above all, survivors must be included in shaping the policies that affect their future. Too often, decisions are made without consulting those who have lived through these crimes. Survivor-centered approaches should become the global standard, not the exception.

What does justice mean for survivors today?

Justice means much more than criminal convictions. It means acknowledging what happened, recognizing survivors’ suffering, and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable under the law. It also means providing reparations, access to health care and education, the return of missing family members whenever possible, and the restoration of communities that were deliberately destroyed. Accountability is also one of the strongest forms of prevention. Future perpetrators must understand that genocide, sexual slavery, and human trafficking carry consequences. When justice is delayed or denied, it sends a dangerous message that such crimes can be committed without punishment.

More than 2,000 Yazidi women and children abducted by ISIS are still missing. What message should the international community remember today?

Remembering is important, but remembrance alone is not enough. It must lead to action.

We must never allow the Yazidi genocide to become another forgotten chapter in history. Thousands were murdered, more than 6,000 women and children were abducted, and many families are still searching for their loved ones. Thousands of survivors continue to live in displacement, while others are trying to rebuild Sinjar with very little support. The international community has a responsibility to ensure that genocide is never met with indifference. Survivors need more than expressions of solidarity. They need justice, security, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity. Ultimately, our commitment should be measured not by what we say, but by what we do.

Does receiving the Nobel Peace Prize make it easier to advance your cause?

I have learned that winning the Nobel Peace Prize does not make the work easier. Like many human rights advocates, I still spend much of my time urging governments, prosecutors, journalists, and international institutions to act. Many requests still go unanswered. Yet I continue because I have seen what political will can achieve. Countries such as France, Germany, Canada, and Australia have opened humanitarian pathways for survivors. These examples demonstrate that governments can make a real difference when they choose to act.

Why did you establish Nadia’s Initiative?

I founded Nadia’s Initiative because I wanted advocacy to produce tangible change for my community. Humanitarian assistance was essential, but long-term recovery requires rebuilding Sinjar itself so that families can return home. Everything we do is guided by one principle: Survivors must be at the center of every response. That means investing in education, health care, livelihoods, and reconstruction while ensuring that survivors participate in decisions that affect their future. 

Survivors are not merely beneficiaries. They are leaders whose experiences should help shape international policy.

Nadia’s Initiative has supported legal proceedings against ISIS members. Why are these cases so important?

Every trial is an opportunity to establish the truth and affirm that survivors’ testimonies matter. Many Yazidi women testify at enormous personal cost, reliving deeply traumatic experiences so that those responsible for genocide, sexual slavery, and human trafficking can be held accountable. I have been fortunate to work alongside remarkable people, including Amal Clooney, who has represented survivors for nearly a decade. I am grateful to the governments and judicial authorities of Germany and Belgium for demonstrating that national courts can play a decisive role in delivering justice. Germany’s landmark genocide convictions, beginning with the historic Frankfurt judgment in 2021, and Belgium’s 2025 conviction of ISIS member Sammy Djedou have shown that justice can cross borders.

After everything you have endured, what continues to give you hope?

Hope comes from survivors themselves. Every time I meet someone rebuilding a life after unimaginable suffering, I am reminded of the resilience of the human spirit. I have never wanted to be the voice of all survivors because every survivor already has a voice. My responsibility is to help create the space where those voices are heard. Survivors are not asking for sympathy. They are asking for justice, recognition, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity.