Nobody’s Listening” Virtual Reality Exhibit Honours 10th Anniversary of the Ezidi Genocide
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, in partnership with Yazda, hosted the “Nobody’s Listening” Virtual Reality (VR) Exhibition this week to mark the 10th anniversary of the Yezidi genocide. This exhibition brings to light the horrific atrocities committed by ISIS against the Ezidi people and serves as both a tribute to the victims and a call for justice.
The event, which took place on November 13, 2024, featured moving testimonies from two survivors of the genocide who spoke about their personal experiences and stressed the importance of remembering the tragedy to prevent future violence. Ambassador Alina L. Romanowski welcomed the survivors and emphasized the role of remembrance in ensuring the atrocities are not repeated.
“‘Nobody’s Listening’ is a powerful reminder of the suffering endured by the Yezidi people,” Ambassador Romanowski stated. “This exhibition not only commemorates the past but also shines a spotlight on the Yezidi people’s ongoing fight for justice, accountability, and the right to return to their homes in safety.”
The exhibition combines cutting-edge VR technology with firsthand survivor accounts, offering an experience that brings viewers face-to-face with the horror of the 2014 genocide. It includes footage from Sinjar in 2019, capturing the landscape and remnants of destruction left by ISIS, alongside survivor testimonies. The VR experience allows participants to walk through the events of the genocide, offering a rare opportunity to understand the depth of the crimes from the perspective of those who lived through them.
Since its launch, more than 200 people in Iraq have participated in the “Nobody’s Listening” experience. The exhibition has been shown at several educational institutions, including the American University in Iraq-Baghdad, the Halabja Memorial, and the General Directorate of Sports Education and School Activities. Yazda’s Executive Director, Natia Navrouzov, highlighted the importance of education in combating hate and fostering understanding.
“Education is key to preventing hatred and division,” Navrouzov said. “Through ‘Nobody’s Listening,’ we can foster empathy and understanding by letting people experience the reality of the Yezidi genocide firsthand.”
The “Nobody’s Listening” initiative, which was first launched in the Iraqi Parliament in 2020, has traveled globally, exhibiting in schools and universities across France, Germany, the UK, Luxembourg, and the U.S. In Iraq, it continues to serve as a tool for education and advocacy, helping to raise awareness about the Yezidi community’s ongoing struggle for justice and healing.
For survivorsthe exhibit offers a chance to ensure that future generations never forget what happened. As an Advocacy Officer for the project, one of the survivors expressed his gratitude for the support of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, saying, “We are deeply thankful for the Embassy’s ongoing support. It’s critical that we continue to share the story of the Yezidi people, so future generations understand what we’ve endured.”
For those interested in learning more about the “Nobody’s Listening” exhibition and exploring its immersive VR experience, visitors can access additional information and details on how to view the exhibition on the official website. The website offers resources on upcoming events, locations where the exhibit is hosted, and ways to get involved in advocacy for the Ezidi people.
Background on the Ezidi Genocide
On August 3, 2014, ISIS launched brutal attacks against the Ezidi people in the Sinjar district of northern Iraq, aiming to eradicate the Ezidis. During this genocide, ISIS executed men and boys over the age of 12 who refused to convert to Islam, abducted women and girls for sexual enslavement, and forced boys over the age of 7 to fight. Many Ezidis were killed by execution, starvation, and dehydration, and an estimated 12,000 were killed while 6,417 were kidnapped. The UN Human Rights Council has recognized these actions as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes under international law.
ISIS’s genocidal campaign also targeted other minority groups in Iraq, including Christians, Shi’a Muslims, and other religious and ethnic communities. The devastation included mass killings, forced conversions, sexual enslavement, and the destruction of cultural heritage sites across the region.
For further details and to experience the “Nobody’s Listening” VR exhibition, please visit the official exhibition website here.
