Ezidi institutions in Sinjar held a press conference in Sinune neighbourhood and demanded recognition of autonomy from Iraq and international powers.

In the joint declaration read by a representative said: “Our people suffered a barbaric attack on August 3, 2014. ISIS attacked our people and their values in front of the world’s eye. They wanted to annihilate Ezidi people this time. Thousands of women, children and elderly people were killed or captured. Hundreds of thousand of Ezidis were forced to move. Despite the attacks, Ezidi people resisted, established their councils and organizations and formed their defence forces. These forces have defended Sinjar against barbaric ISIS gangs for the past three years”.

The representatives demanded recognition from Iraq’s central government and international powers and called on United Nations, Council of Europe, international powers and Iraq to accept the demands of people of Sinjar.

The main demands were listed as: “the political, military and social will of Ezidi people should be recognized”, “the council and organizations which are active for the past three years in Sinjar should be recognized” and “YBS, YJS, Ezidxan Security Forces and border forces should be recognized”.

Ezidi organizations also demanded education in mother language, a budget for services in Sinjar. They said Sinjar should be declared as a “wilayet” province.

Ezidis also said that those who took part in the genocide against Ezidi people in 2014 should stand trial before a special tribunal.