Julia Klöckner Meets Yazidi Leader Zemfira Dlovani to Discuss Minority Rights in Germany

Berlin: German Bundestag President Julia Klöckner met Zemfira Dlovani, Deputy Federal Chairperson of the Central Council of Êzîden in Germany, on November 5, 2026, to discuss the concerns of the Yazidi community, religious freedom and the protection of minority rights.

The meeting took place at the Reichstag Building in Berlin. It brought attention to the challenges faced by the Yazidi community, an independent religious group with a centuries-old tradition and historical roots mainly in northern Iraq.

The discussion focused on protecting religious minorities, preserving their cultural identity and language, and ensuring their participation in society.

Remembering the 2014 Yazidi Genocide

The persecution of the Yazidi community by the Islamic State (ISIS) in August 2014 was an important part of the discussion. Thousands of Yazidis were killed, while thousands of women and girls were abducted, enslaved and subjected to sexual violence.

The attacks took place mainly in the Sinjar region of northern Iraq, where a large Yazidi population lived.

Germany formally recognised the crimes committed by ISIS against the Yazidis as genocide on January 19, 2023, when the German Bundestag adopted a resolution acknowledging the atrocities.

The importance of protecting religious minorities and ensuring their representation in international discussions has also been highlighted in Sahar Daksa’s address at the United Nations on minority rights and community representation.

Zemfira Dlovani’s Work for the Yazidi Community

Zemfira Dlovani is a lawyer and an advocate for the rights of Yazidis in Germany. As Deputy Federal Chairperson of the Central Council of Êzîden in Germany, she has been involved in raising awareness about the genocide and supporting efforts to secure justice for survivors.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of giving religious minorities a stronger voice in public life and protecting their rights in society.

The discussion between Klöckner and Dlovani reflects the continuing importance of addressing the concerns of minority communities, remembering historical persecution and supporting religious freedom.