4. June 2025 – ADVOCACY
10 YEARS AFTER THE GENOCIDE – “BÊMAL” SCREENING AT FOTOGRAFISKA BERLIN
10 Years After the Genocide – Between Return and the Search for a Homeland
On August 3, 2024, the genocide against the Yazidis will mark its 10th anniversary. At HÁWAR.help, we are dedicating our work to remembrance and reflecting on the lessons that must be learned for the future. This week, our human rights organization invited guests to the German Bundestag and to Fotografiska Berlin. On both evenings, the focus extended beyond remembrance to fostering open and meaningful dialogue between survivors and their families, civil society organizations, the broader public, and political decision-makers.
“Bêmal – A People Between Return and the Search for a Homeland”
“The pain endured by them and their families is almost unimaginable. “That’s why it’s important that we expose ourselves to this film.” emphasized Annalena Baerbock, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, in her opening remarks of the evening. “We cannot undo the mistakes of the past, but we can take responsibility. If we offer protection to the Yazidis, it should be forever.”
Following a moving musical opening by the musician Cemîle, we screened a short version of “Bêmal – Where is our Yazidi home?”, the new documentary film by Düzen Tekkal and filmmakers David Körzdörfer and Henry Donovan. Accompanying the screening was a photo exhibition featuring portraits of the protagonists, captured by photographer Amelie Riedesel.
HÁWAR.help founder Düzen Tekkal made it clear in her opening speech: “Our film doesn’t take place far away. Islamism and jihadism are real—right on our doorstep. These inhumane ideologies destroy the lives of millions of people, not only those of the Yazidis. With HÁWAR.help, we will always raise our voices.”
Under the title “Voices of Strength and Resilience – Confronting the Yazidi Genocide and Fighting for Justice,” we continued the evening with a panel discussion featuring Layla Mirza and Jihan Alomar – two survivors and protagonists of the film – as well as Natia Navrouzov, Executive Director of the aid organization Yazda, trauma expert Prof. Dr. Dr. Jan İlhan Kızılhan, and human rights lawyer Dr. Alexander Schwarz.
Layla’s words captured the atmosphere of the evening and our shared mission: “Today we are here, and we must never lose hope!”
We are deeply grateful to Shila Behjat for guiding us through this important evening, as well as to Yousef Hammoudah and the entire Fotografiska team for their support! Our thanks also go to all our allies, companions, and most of all: to the survivors and their families, who share their stories with us!
