UN-backed virtual reality project highlights ISIS genocide of the Yazidis

Amal Clooney moved by ‘Nobody’s Listening’, the real-life stories of survivors

A woman takes part in the UN's virtual reality initiative, Nobody's Listening, which raises awareness of genocide.

The UN has helped to launch a virtual reality project using real-life stories to highlight the horrors of ISIS’ genocide of the Yazidis.

'Nobody's Listening' hopes to raise awareness of the atrocity in Iraq in which ISIS terrorists killed more than 12,000 people and help bring them to justice.

It is the first time the technology has been used in this way.

The project, which was developed by Yazidi charity Yazda, has received international support with Amal Clooney describing the virtual footage as moving.

Wearing a headset, viewers watch 12 minutes of virtual reality following the true stories of a Yazidi girl kidnapped as a slave by ISIS, her brother who escaped from the grip of terrorists with his life and an ISIS fighter.

It is filmed in the Sinjar village of Kojo, birthplace of Nobel laureate Nadia Murad whose mother was killed by ISIS, and is split into three chapters: before the genocide, during the atrocity and the devastation of the aftermath.

During the experience filmed by UK-based firm Surround Vision, viewers can walk virtually around the site of the atrocity.

British-based Ryan D’Souza, executive producer and curator of Nobody’s Listening, said it was “groundbreaking”.

“We are hoping it will raise awareness, help to prevent future genocides and bring ISIS fighters to justice by showing their crimes,” he said. “The primary objective is to refocus attention back on the ongoing plight of survivors and affected communities, and to amplify their calls for justice and recognition of the genocide.

“We decided to make Nobody’s Listening the title of this programme, as this was the actual phrase that was repeated by members of the Yazidi community in nearly all our discussions from the start of this project.

“Six years after it began, the genocide is ongoing. Nearly 2,500 Yazidi women and children remain missing or in captivity, and not a single ISIS fighter has been brought to justice for the crime of genocide.

“The ability to walk in the scenes where the crimes took place while listening to the stories of the survivors enables the viewer to get an insight into the tragedy that befell the Yazidi community, and gain a deeper understanding of the genocide.”

Vian Darweesh, co-ordinator of the Yazidi survivor network, praised the project. “It has been six years since the Yazidis were targeted by ISIS,” he said.

“Our men were killed, our women were captured but there are still women missing and held in captivity. This virtual reality project is a reflection of a real experience that we have lived through, so it is important that communities are educated and aware of the Yazidi people and culture.”

The initiative was launched at the University of Baghdad last week in collaboration with Prof Salah Fleifel Al Jabri of Unesco, and will be showcased in Germany next year.

Amal Clooney said: "Nobody's Listening is a moving exhibition that pays tribute to the courage of the survivors of genocide and amplifies their call for justice.”

Her comments were echoed by UN genocide expert Adama Dieng.

“The VR is very powerful. At the same time, I found the testimony very moving... this is the journey of suffering where you discover the inhumanity of ISIS but also the courage of the Yazidis who never lost hope,” he said.

Paolo Fontani, Unesco representative to Iraq, said it was vital to help young people become more aware of the processes that can lead societies to violence.

“Unesco is committed to ensuring that the memory and the legacy of the victims of genocide is preserved through commemorative and cultural activities, and to supporting relevant pedagogies and educational tools in the field of genocide education,” he said.

An art exhibition is displayed alongside the project and includes pieces from dozens of Yazidi survivors.