During her recent visit to Colombia, Nadia Murad had the opportunity to meet with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), local leaders, and human rights advocates who are working tirelessly to advance justice and healing in their communities. This visit marked her first time in the country – a place she has long hoped to see, not only for its beauty and culture but because of the profound connections between the experiences of Colombian survivors and survivors from the Yazidi community.
The conviction of an ISIS member in Belgium for genocide and crimes against humanity committed against the Yazidi community represents a landmark in the global pursuit of justice for ISIS’s atrocities.
Nadia’s Initiative has worked closely with prosecutors, investigators, and survivors throughout this process. We commend the extraordinary bravery of the women who testified, and the dedication of all those who helped bring this case to trial.
From November 6 to 14, 2025, the trial of ISIS member and Belgian national Sammy Djedou, also known by his alias Abu Moussab al-Belgiki, will take place in Brussels, Belgium at the Assize Court, the highest Belgian court with criminal jurisdiction for the most serious offenses. Nadia’s Initiative and its staff are providing logistical support in coordination with investigators, the prosecutor’s office, and witnesses before, during, and after the proceedings.
This week marks a historic milestone for the people of Sinjar. Nadia’s Initiative (NI), in partnership with project owner La Chaîne de l’Espoir, and with support from the Government of France, completed the construction and full equipping of the new hospital in Sinjar, known as the Sinjar French Medical Center (SFMC). The facility was officially handed over this week to the Iraqi Ministry of Health and the Nineveh Health Directorate.
Last week, Nadia visited Chapman University as part of the university’s Inauguration Event Series, opening the week with a public conversation with Dr. Jennifer Keene, Dean of Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. In a powerful discussion, Nadia shared her personal story of survival and her ongoing efforts to advance justice and recovery for survivors of sexual violence through her global advocacy and the work of Nadia’s Initiative.
At the opening of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, world leaders gathered to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – the most ambitious global commitment on women’s rights and gender equality. On this historic occasion, Nadia Murad issued a powerful reminder: reflection is not enough.
This past weekend, Nadia joined global changemakers at the Vatican for the World Meeting on Human Fraternity, a gathering inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti. The purpose of the gathering is to unite individuals of goodwill – across faiths, beliefs, and civil society – to foster a global movement for fraternity and peace while working collectively to address shared challenges.
Nadia’s Initiative is deeply alarmed by the recent forced deportation of a Yazidi family from Germany to Iraq, which was carried out despite an active court order halting their removal. The Potsdam Administrative Court had issued a binding decision (VG 16 L 845/25.A) granting suspensive effect to the family’s asylum appeal, recognizing serious legal doubts about the deportation and ruling that the family must not be removed. Nevertheless, German authorities proceeded with the deportation in violation of this order.
“On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who have fought for change, often at great personal risk. Women who have broken barriers, challenged stereotypes, and paved the way for future generations. But we must also remember the women whose stories go untold—the women in rural villages, refugee camps, and war zones who fight for survival and dignity every single day.”
Nadia Murad and Sheryl Sandberg's TIME Op-Ed: After more than a decade in captivity, Fawzia Amin Sido was rescued from Gaza, returned to Iraq, and reunited with her family on Oct. 2. Fawzia’s freedom is a reminder that thousands of women and children remain in captivity. The international community has failed, time and again, to bring them home and to hold everyone who contributed to these crimes against humanity accountable.
It has been nine years since the Kocho massacre and the community still bears the trauma. Kocho community members deserve justice, support to rebuild, and memorialization initiatives to honor those who were lost and heal through collective remembrance.
Nadia Murad met the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in Berlin to discuss the desperate plight of refugees across the world. Reiterating that there are now over 100 million displaced people globally, Ms. Murad stressed the importance of finding sustainable and safe long-term solutions.
Nadia Murad and Angelina Jolie made a joint visit to the Sinjar region of northern Iraq to mark progress made to redevelop the region and reflect on the needs of survivors eight years after the Yazidi genocide at the hands of the Islamic State (ISIS).
In a decision published last week, the German Federal Court of Justice confirmed the conviction against ISIS member Taha A.J. for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes committed against Yazidi victims in Fallujah, Iraq.
Today, Germany joined more than 18 countries and international bodies in formally recognizing ISIS' actions against the Yazidi people as genocide. This recognition not only shows survivors that the world is aware of, and condemns, the violence they suffered, but also shines a spotlight on what still needs to be done to help the community recover and prevent future acts of violence.
A criminal trial began today before the Higher Regional Court of the German city of Koblenz against a German ISIS member accused of aiding and abetting genocide following her abuse of a young Yazidi woman in support of ISIS’ campaign to wipe out the Yazidi community.
As survivors of genocide and conflict-related sexual violence globally continue to struggle to rebuild their lives, our advocacy work has evolved to meet the changing needs of these survivors and their communities—and it will continue to adapt as new challenges arise.
This #GivingTuesday, Nadia’s Initiative is focusing on holistically empowering women in post-conflict settings to heal and rebuild their lives. Spread your holiday cheer to make a profound impact on the lives of women in Sinjar: https://nadia.la/GivingTuesday
