In a written statement to mark the 7th anniversary of the Yazidi genocide, HDP Peoples and Beliefs Commission co-chair, Tülay Hatimoğulları, said: "Today is the 7th anniversary of the genocide carried out by ISIS against the Yazidi people. ISIS mercenaries massacred more than 5,000 Yazidi Kurds, including women, children and the elderly, in Shengal. They took thousands of them hostage, forced hundreds of thousands more to leave their ancient lands and kidnapped thousands of children and women."

The statement continued: "This barbaric attack by ISIS marked a new black page, the 74th edict, in the history and collective memory of the Yazidis. Yazidis in Mesopotamia have been subjected to oppression and massacres by the forces that have occupied the region throughout history. On 15 June 2016, the United Nations Human Rights Council declared that ISIS committed genocide against Yazidis."

The statement added: "The Yazidis, who resisted and preserved their beliefs, cultures and assets despite the series of massacres and edicts, are among the ancient peoples of these lands. Turkey should recognize the Yazidi massacre as genocide. It should abandon threatening and aggressive policies towards Shengal. Turkey should ensure that the Yazidis, who had to migrate after the massacre, lead their lives in safety, and take precautions and measures to protect their Yazidi identity and belief. Serious steps should be taken to liberate Yazidi women and children still held captive by ISIS, and this shame should not be ignored."

The HDP said: "On the 7th anniversary of the 3 August Shengal Massacre, we take this opportunity to reiterate that we stand by the Yazidi people, who have been subjected to oppression, cruelty and genocide throughout their history, and we respectfully commemorate the Yazidis who were brutally murdered by ISIS. We call on all humanity to fight against genocides, massacres and inhuman practices."