Institutions in Shengal: Court order to close down PADÊ is a political decision

Institutions affiliated to the Shengal Autonomous Administration, youth activists, Sinûnê People's Assembly members and Sinûnê Women's Assembly representatives paid a solidarity visit to PADÊ and expressed their support.

On 6 August 2024, the Iraqi Federal Court issued a closure order against the Yazidi Freedom and Democracy Party (PADÊ) in Shengal (Sinjar) upon the request of the ruling KDP and the Turkish state. The decision issued on the 10th anniversary of the 2014 genocide was described by the Yazidi people as the ‘75th genocide order’. Despite all legal, diplomatic, political and democratic reactions, the Federal Court rejected PADÊ's appeal. However, the people of Shengal state that no state can shut down their party.

Institutions and organisations in Shengal have been visiting PADÊ headquarters in support of the party after the rejection of its objection against the closure order.

Members of the Sinûnê People's Assembly and representatives of the Sinûnê Women's Assembly visited PADÊ headquarters today and were welcomed by Salih Ezdin, Politburo Member of PADÊ.

Sinûnê People's Assembly Member Berekat Kasım stated that Iraq does not recognise any rights for Yazidis and said, “Yazidis have Iraqi identity, but no rights are recognised. No region in Iraq has been neglected like Shengal. The Iraqi government serves other countries, not its people and not Iraq. This government does not benefit its people in any way. Our party was closed by Iraq and the Turkish state. Now I ask; what harm did our party do to Iraq? This is a wrong alliance against the Kurdish and Yazidi people.”

PADÊ Politburo Member Salih Ezdin welcomed the representatives of the organisations and said: “Our party operates according to Iraqi law. However, the Federal Court issued a closure order. This is a political decision. As a result of the alliance between the Turkish state and Iraq, the closure decision was made on the 10th anniversary of the genocide without any prior warning. However, everyone knows that our party is the only party that defends the rights of Yazidis.”

Sabah Xwedêda, who addressed the state during his visit to PADÊ, said: “The Yazidis will recognise the existence of the state as much as the state recognises them and their will. PADÊ is working to protect the rights of the Yazidi people. If the state recognises its people and especially the Yazidis today, the Yazidis will recognise the existence of the state tomorrow.”

Visits to PADÊ headquarters and messages of support continue.