In Luxembourg, a memorial was held yesterday, July 28, 2026, to commemorate the victims and survivors of the Yazidi genocide. The event highlighted the horrific humanitarian crimes committed against Yazidi Kurds by ISIS militants in 2014, serving as a platform to express international solidarity with the women and children who fell victim to terrorism.
The ceremony was organized by the Kurdistan Diaspora Centre- Luxembourg and the organization CID Fraen an Gender, with the support of Luxembourg’s Ministry of Equality and the Ministry of Culture. The event was attended by various political figures, intellectuals, and activists who gathered to reflect on one of the darkest chapters of contemporary history.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Askandar Tamo, representing the Kurdish Diaspora Center, welcomed the guests and expressed gratitude for the humanitarian stance and sympathy shown by the attendees in support of the Yazidi cause. In his address, Tamo stated that the Yazidi genocide remains a profound wound on the conscience of humanity, noting that while the world stood by as a mere spectator, Yazidi Kurds faced the most brutal of atrocities. He emphasized his conviction that had an independent Kurdistan existed, such humanitarian catastrophes could have been prevented. He also expressed hope for a future free Kurdistan where all religious and national components live together in peace and respect, asserting that diversity is the source of the Kurdish people’s strength.
The event featured a documentary segment, including a screening of the short film Ezda. Following the screening, journalist Jang Kapgen held a discussion with the film’s director, Halime Akturk. The film chronicles the story of a Yazidi survivor now living in Canada, highlighting her profound suffering and resilience.
During the commemoration, Amez Angel, a board member of the Kurdish Diaspora Center, provided a reading from Elif Shafak’s novel The Island of Missing Trees (referenced here in relation to themes of displacement), linking the content to Yazidi history and resilience. Angel also shed light on other painful chapters of Kurdish history, including the Halabja chemical attack and the Anfal campaigns, to provide attendees with a clear understanding of the persecuted history of the Kurdish people.
The most poignant part of the ceremony was the testimony of a survivor of the Sinjar genocide. A woman currently residing in France recounted her harrowing experiences with immense courage. She described the moments of the ISIS attacks, the murder of her husband, and the agony endured by her family. Her testimony served as a powerful message to all attendees: that genocide is not merely a statistic, but the systematic destruction of human lives and dreams.
Additionally, a video message was presented by Seda Musoyan, representative of the Federation of Kurdish Women in Russia. Musoyan, a Yazidi Kurd herself, discussed the ongoing challenges faced by Yazidi women and children and called for international justice. She emphasized that the voice of Kurds from all parts of Kurdistan must reach the world to prevent the recurrence of such massacres.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, a book exhibition was held featuring historical and cultural resources regarding the Kurds and the Yazidi faith, allowing attendees to become better acquainted with the historical roots of this indigenous community.