The European Kurdish Democratic Societies Congress (KCDK-E) released a written statement marking the anniversary of the genocide committed by ISIS against the Yazidi people in Shengal on 3 August 2014.
The statement said: “Eleven years have passed since the genocide carried out by ISIS against our Yazidi people in Shengal on 3 August 2014. This date remains etched in memory as one of the darkest chapters not only in Yazidi history, but in the history of humanity as a whole.
We once again condemn this atrocity with our deepest anger, an atrocity in which women and children were deliberately targeted, thousands were massacred, and tens of thousands were displaced. We remember with respect and mercy all those who lost their lives.
The genocide took place before the eyes of the international community
The Shengal Genocide unfolded before the very eyes of the international community, yet the world remained largely silent in the face of this massacre. Thousands of Yazidi women were abducted, subjected to systematic sexual violence, and sold in slave markets.
To this day, thousands of women and children remain missing. This reality is a wound that has not healed in the conscience of humanity. The indifference of the international community in the face of this tragedy has only deepened the impact of the genocide.”
It was the guerrilla and YPG/YPJ that stopped the genocide
The statement addded: “The only forces that protected the Yazidi people and stopped the genocide in the face of ISIS barbarism were the Kurdistan Freedom Guerrilla and the People’s Defense Units (YPG) and Women’s Defense Units (YPJ). Thanks to their legendary resistance, the complete annihilation of the Yazidi people was prevented. We salute this historic resistance with gratitude and honor the fallen heroes with respect.
Threats to the right to self-governance and self-defense continue
Unfortunately, it has not been forgotten that some forces responsible for protecting the people of Shengal abandoned the region during the attacks, leaving the population defenseless. This neglect further deepened the scale of the catastrophe. Today, threats against the people of Shengal and their right to govern and defend themselves persist. The people of Shengal, who seek to build an autonomous life on their own land, continue to face pressure for this very will; their self-determination is being undermined through external interference.
As the KCDK-E, we once again emphasize: the struggle of the Yazidi people to protect their faith, identity, language, culture, and land is a most legitimate human rights struggle. The Iraqi state in particular, as well as regional and international actors, must respect and support this legitimate cause. The demands of the people of Shengal must be addressed through dialogue and democratic resolution, shaped not by external pressure but by the will of the people themselves.”
The international community must bring the perpetrators of the genocide to justice
The statement continued: “The international community has a responsibility to bring the perpetrators of the genocide to justice and to take concrete steps to locate the missing women and children. On this occasion, we once again remind the people of Shengal that they are not alone. We call on our people across the four parts of Kurdistan and in the diaspora to stand with Shengal. Sharing the pain of the Yazidi people and supporting their struggle is a moral obligation for all of humanity.
Shengal’s status must be recognized to prevent further massacres
All international institutions and forces, first and foremost the people of Kurdistan, must mobilize to ensure that the Yazidis do not face another massacre, by recognizing Shengal’s political status.
The Kurdish people, their allies, and all of humanity must form a line of solidarity around Shengal and thwart the dirty plans targeting the Yazidi community. We call on the United Nations and all international bodies to prevent future massacres by recognizing the status of Shengal and taking a clear stand against the ongoing campaigns of massacre and genocide against the Yazidi people.”
Source: ANF News
