300 delegates, 200 guests from and outside Shengal and Arab and Shiite youth are participating in the 3rd Yazidi Youth Congress held in the town of Sinun today under the motto "Yazidi youth’s organisation will avenge the 74th massacre and will secure the autonomy of Shengal."

The institutions and organizations of the Yazidi people and the participants are delivering speeches in the congress which began with a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs and will last the whole day.

Making the opening speech, Yazidi Youth Spokeswoman Sara Botan said, “We, the Yazidi Youth Union, are holding this congress in August to show the enemy that they cannot destroy us through their attacks. We are convinced that further potential massacres will be thwarted by the organization of the youth. We celebrate our congress in praise of all our defence forces and our guerrillas who are currently fighting Turkish troops in the free mountains.”

‘YAZIDI YOUTH HAVE WILLPOWER’

Speaking on behalf of the YBŞ (Shengal Resistance Units) and YJŞ (Shengal Women’s Units), Dilşêr Qîrani said, “We are celebrating the Yazidi Youth Congress. We respectfully commemorate those who were martyred in the month of August. The enemy that wants to destroy the Yazidis is now trying to keep the young people away from the Yazidi faith. Young people will respond to these plans in the first place. The Yazidi youth have the willpower. This has been proven throughout history. The enemy wants to evacuate Shengal in defiance of the will of the Yazidi youth who reclaim Shengal. As the YBJ and YJŞ, we stand by our youth to secure the autonomy of Shengal and to realize the dreams of our martyrs.”

‘OUR YOUTH SHOULD PROTECT THEIR LAND’

“We are congratulating the congress on all our people. Our youth should embrace their land and return. They should join the resistance in Shengal. Our youth should join the defence forces and work together for an autonomous Shengal,” Şemê Remo said on behalf of the TAJÊ.

Speaking for the Patriotic Youth of Kurdistan, Herdi noted that the Turkish state is attacking the Kurdish people everywhere. “By attacking the guerrilla forces, Turkey wants to destroy the Yazidi people and other components that demand their rights. Yet, this plan has been frustrated thanks to the labour, resistance and spirit of the guerrillas.”

Cewad Êzidi, who is participating in the congress on behalf of the European Yazidi Youth Union, celebrated the congress for the August heroes Mam Zeki, Mam Beşir, Zerdeşt Şengali and Dijwar Feqir. Addressing the activities and organization of the Yazidi youth, Êzidi said that further massacres could be prevented through organization, and there is a need for the organization of Yazidi youth all over the world.

After speeches and messages, the perspectives of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan were debated.

The congress will continue with the presentation of a two-year work report, assessment of the political situation, cine-vision screening, election of the Yazidi Youth Union Assembly.