It was our honor as Air Bridge Iraq – Luftbrücke Irak e.V., the first and oldest humanitarian organization working for the Yazidi community, particularly war and terrorism victims, to launch the annual Sinjar Human Rights Award (Sinjar Human Rights Award 2024). This initiative coincides with International Human Rights Day and the International Day for the Elimination of Genocide.
The award recognizes the dedication and outstanding work of activists, civil society organizations, and media actors in Sinjar over the past ten years following the genocide. It aims to honor their tireless efforts to defend victims’ rights, give Sinjar a positive spirit, and contribute to healing wounds through advocacy, public awareness, and community support across humanitarian, social, civil, and rights-based areas.
Believing in the importance of encouraging local activists, civil society institutions, and public figures who serve the common good, we established this award as an annual recognition, following globally recognized award standards. An evaluation committee was formed to assess nominees objectively, and applications were collected through an online form shared via the websites and social media platforms of the partner organizations.
After careful consideration, a shortlist of nominees meeting the award criteria was selected. Given the challenges of comparing humanitarian and voluntary efforts, this year’s award recognizes the outstanding contributions of all winners. Next year, we plan to expand the scope to include nominees outside the Yazidi and Sinjar community, establish additional evaluation committees, and coordinate with cultural and civil actors interested in participating. This collective effort will help strengthen collaboration and further support the safe development of our community.
This year’s award ceremony was organized in coordination with Air Bridge Iraq, House of Coexistence (HoC), and Progress in Peace NGO.
2024 Sinjar Human Rights Award Winners
Civil Society Organizations and Media:
- Sinjar Academy & Activist Murad Ismail
- Nadia Initiative & Activist Faisal Ghanem
- IDP Affairs Office & Legal Expert Ali Omar Kaboo
- Directorate of Female Survivors & Ms. Sarab Elias
- Jilan Organization & Dr. Talal Haskani
- Yazda Organization & Haider Elias
- Youth Bridge Organization & Activist Farhan Ibrahim
- Petrikor Organization & Activist Khairi Ali Ibrahim
- Tal Azir Volunteer Youth Center
- Khansour Volunteer Youth Center
- Sunrise Organization
- Burk Youth Center
- Ezidi 24 Media & Journalist Ahmed Shankali
- Warjin Foundation & Journalist Samia Shankali
- Chia Press & Journalist Bir Ali
- Ezidi News & Journalist Fares Mashko
- Kania Media & Journalist Sofian Dalkani
- Sinjar Media
- Zewa News
- Al-Mustaqbal Charity & Religious Leader Mr. Marwan Babiri
- Millennium Organization & Mr. Zaid Haji Barakat
- Farida Organization & Mr. Khalid Qasim
- Mirzo Music Institute & Artist Fahd Harbo
- Banan Organization & Activist Mahmoud Barghashi
- Nasim Sinjar for Persons with Disabilities & Mr. Nizar Barjas
Individual Awardees:
- Mr. Nasser Kreet, Civil Activist & Legal Advisor
- Khidr Domli, Academic & International Trainer
- Khadida Jouki, Director of North Nahiyah Volunteer Office
- Mr. Haso Rustam, Social & Charitable Figure
- Dr. Fares Kati, Academic & Civil Activist
- Mam Fakher, Religious Leader
- Mr. Elias Qirani, Content Creator
- Mr. Sabah Faisal, Content Creator
- Mr. Hassan Saleh, Sinjar Education Directorate
- Mr. Saad Hamad Mato, Former Director of Sinjar Education
- Mr. Hassan Saeed Hassan, Kurdish Education Department
- Ms. Basma Al-Dakhi, Activist
- Ms. Nazik Shmedin, Activist
- Mr. Ibrahim Tamri, Writer & Activist
- Mr. Saad Hamo, Activist
- Mr. Maher Shankali, Journalist
- Mr. Siddo Al-Ahmadi, Elected Mayor of Sinjar
We extend our warmest congratulations to all the winners of the first edition of the Sinjar Human Rights Award. This recognition represents a small token of appreciation and respect for their outstanding dedication to the Yazidi cause, victims’ rights, human rights in general, and their efforts to instill a positive spirit in the community despite all challenges.