On 3 December 2024, the University of Augsburg presented its prestigious Mietek Pemper Award for Reconciliation and International Understanding to Farida Khalaf, Yazidi survivor, human rights defender, and co-founder of Farida Global e.V.
This marks the ninth presentation of the award, which celebrates individuals whose courage and dedication advance peace, reconciliation, and justice.
A Voice of Courage and Justice
Farida Khalaf, who endured ISIS captivity during the Yazidi genocide of August 2014, has since become a leading advocate for survivors of conflict-related violence. Her internationally recognized memoir, The Girl Who Escaped ISIS: This Is My Story (2016, co-written with journalist Andrea C. Hoffmann), recounts her personal experience of survival and resistance.
Through her work, Khalaf continues to amplify the voices of survivors, pressing for global recognition of the Yazidi genocide and demanding accountability for those responsible.
Speaking at the ceremony, Markus Blume, Bavarian State Minister for Science and the Arts, emphasized:
“Farida Khalaf embodies resilience and hope. Her courage shows how the determination of one individual can inspire justice, reconciliation, and peace.”
University President Prof. Dr. Sabine Doering-Manteuffel added:
“Each recipient of the Mietek Pemper Award shares a profound commitment to humanity and reconciliation. Farida Khalaf stands in this tradition with tireless dedication and moral clarity.”
From Survivor to Global Advocate
Since 2018, Farida Khalaf has led Farida Global e.V., an organization she co-founded with other survivors to defend the rights of Yazidis and other communities affected by genocide and conflict-related sexual violence.
Farida Global works to ensure survivors are heard, their needs are recognized, and their rights are respected. From raising international awareness to providing psychosocial support and legal advocacy, the organization represents a vital survivor-led effort for justice and recovery.
About the Mietek Pemper Award
The award is named after Mieczysław Pemper (1920–2011), Holocaust survivor and honorary citizen of Augsburg, who risked his life by assisting Oskar Schindler in saving over 1,000 Jewish prisoners during World War II.
Established in 2007 and sponsored by Dr. Georg Haindl, the prize continues Pemper’s legacy by honoring figures who make extraordinary contributions to reconciliation, peacebuilding, and human dignity. Past laureates have included international leaders, peacebuilders, and civil society actors from across the globe.
The award reflects Augsburg’s centuries-old identity as a “City of Peace”, rooted in the legacy of the 1555 Peace of Augsburg, and reaffirms the city’s commitment to interfaith and intercultural understanding.
Recognition of a Lifelong Mission
By honoring Farida Khalaf, the University of Augsburg acknowledges not only her personal resilience but also the wider struggle of the Yazidi community for truth, justice, and recognition.
This award underscores the importance of survivor-led advocacy in shaping a more just and peaceful world—values at the heart of Farida Global’s mission.
Deutsch 
English