The 17th Biennial Meeting of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) took place from 20–25 October 2025 at the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Center in South Africa. Under the theme “The Challenge of ‘Never Again,’” the conference gathered experts and survivors to discuss genocide prevention and memory.
KG Lobby Center, led by Awring Shaways, attended as the only Kurdish organization represented. Their presence highlighted the long-overlooked genocides committed against the Kurdish people and strengthened academic and international engagement.
Artistic Contribution and Remembrance
The Kurdish delegation contributed two major artistic projects:
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Digital photo exhibition by Dr. Mohammed Ihsan, featuring images from mass-grave excavations in southern Iraq.
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A collective canvas by artist Ashti Shegani, representing all genocides against the Kurds—Fayli, Barzani, Anfal, chemical attacks, and the ongoing Yazidi genocide. Conference participants contributed to the artwork, which now remains at the Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Center.
Panels and Academic Contributions
The Kurdish team participated in three panels:
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Kurdish Women and Genocide – Presented by Awring Shaways
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From Blueprint to Genocide? – Presented by Dr. Mohammed Ihsan
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Joint Panel on Kurdish Genocide and International Inaction – With presentations by Dr. Ihsan and Awring Shaways
Additionally, two papers were presented:
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The Importance of DNA for Genocide – Dr. Yasin Karim Amin
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Massacres of Kurds by the Ba’ath Regime – Dr. Abdulrahman Karim Darwish
Why This Participation Matters
For Kurds, participation in IAGS 2025 was vital. It brought international attention to decades of genocides committed against Kurdish communities and strengthened academic, political, and social cooperation. Although the world declares “Never Again,” Kurdish history shows that genocide has repeatedly occurred. Their presence at the conference served as a powerful reminder that recognition and prevention must remain urgent global priorities.