It has been nearly two years since Iraqi forces regained control of the Nineveh Plains, ousting ISIS and allowing residents to move back to their old houses after years in exile. But reconstruction doesn’t come easily, especially for those belonging to the many ethnic minorities rooted in the area, who face even greater discrimination as they try to coexist in the wake of the sectarian conflict.

This event will begin with a screening of the documentary film ‘Where We Belong: Returning to Nineveh Plains.’ The film follows the stories of Abbas, a young Shabak man working hard to improve life in the region through a radio show and volunteering, and Alyaa, a female Turkmen lawyer helping families who have been affected by ISIS to claim justice and compensation. It offers a rare glimpse on what everyday life looks like in post-ISIS rural Iraq, amidst the rubble and the pain, where people are slowly starting to rebuild their lives after one of the saddest times the country has ever seen.

Following the film, a panel discussion will be held with Dario Bosio, co-founder of DARST film studio and co-director of the film, and Miriam Puttick, Civilian Rights Officer for the Iran-Iraq Programme at Minority Rights Group International. Dario will share insights from his experience filming the documentary in Iraq and offer first-hand perspective into the everyday challenges of reconstruction and reconciliation faced by minorities attempting to recover from ISIS. Miriam will place the themes of the film into long-term perspective, analysing the roots of marginalisation faced by ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq today and discussing present and future challenges for social cohesion, justice, and development.

Everyone is welcome.

Organiser: Georges Fahmi (MEDirections)

Speakers: Miriam Puttick (Minority, Rights Group International), Dario Bosio (Freelance producer)

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