The Kurdistan Victims Association and an American citizen filed a lawsuit against the Barzani family before US District Court. In addition to demanding 1 billion dollars in damages, Massoud Barzani, Masoud Barzani, Masrour Barzani and Weysi Barzani were also indicted for murder, kidnapping and torture. Following these developments, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region quickly traveled to the United States to exonerate his family.

One of the most serious crimes against the Barzani family is the fact that thousands of Peshmerga fled Shengal on the instructions of the Barzani family in 2014, when ISIS attacked the Yazidi town located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Many countries have recognized this onslaught on the Yazidis as genocide. Xwedêda Ilyas, Co-Chair of the Shengal Executive Committee, spoke to ANF about the lawsuits against the Barzani family and the crimes committed against the Yazidi community.

‘Many Yazidis are still unaccounted for’

Noting that the Yazidi community has suffered a lot because of the Barzani family since 2003, Xwedêda Ilyas said, "The Barzani family took control of Shengal in 2003. The Barzani family held the Yazidi community to account until 2014, just like the suffering ISIS inflicted on our community through the genocide. The Barzani family eliminated those who did not act in line with their interests. The fate of the Yazidis disappeared by the Barzani family in 2006-2007 is unknown."

'Barzani family tortured Yazidis'

Addressing the people who witnessed the oppression and torture of the Barzani family, Xwedêda said, "People who were subjected to torture by the Barzani family should defend their rights. Saddam Hussein ruled the Middle East for 36 years, but he was executed. The Barzanis betrayed the Yazidis. At the same time, their rights have been violated financially. Our pioneers are being targeted through the Barzani family. The Turkish state is attacking Shengal in cooperation with the Barzani family. On March 3, 2017, the KDP attacked Xanesor and our children were martyred. This betrayal of the Barzani family continues until today.”

'One day Masoud Barzani will also be put on trial'

Emphasizing that there should be no silence against the crimes committed by the Barzani family, Xwedêda appealed to the Yazidi community: "Every single Yazidi should sue the Barzani family. No one thought or believed that Saddam Hussein would be put on trial. But one day, Masoud Barzani will also be tried. The KDP supports the Turkish state. As a result of this support, the Turkish state targets our leaders, institutions and organizations. They cannot tolerate the Yazidi community living comfortably in their land. Due to the betrayal of the Barzani family, the Yazidis were faced with genocide. Thousands of our people fell into the hands of ISIS. Every family of martyrs should sue the Barzani family. Let's not think about what could come from a lawsuit. Just as the Kurdish people filed a lawsuit against Saddam Hussein's Anfal, today Anfal is being carried out against the Yazidis, massacres are being committed and the Barzani family is responsible for these."

Kurds and Yazidis should stand against the injustices of the Barzani family

Xwedêda Ilyas pointed to the lawsuit filed against the Barzani family in the US and concluded his speech as follows: "The whole world knows about the betrayal against the Yazidi community in 2014. After the genocide and the IDPs’ return to Shengal, 67 of our people were liquidated by the Barzani family until 2017. The Kurdish people and the Yazidi community should stand against the injustices of the Barzani family."