Êzidî Democratic Society Coordination comprised of 16 parties, NGOs and institutions in Shengal, North Kurdistan, Rojava, Europe, Russia and Armenia released a written statement calling for the enhancement of struggle for the Êzidî people and all Kurdistan.

The statement by the Êzidî Democratic Society Coordination recalled that: “On March 3, 2017 some gang groups attacked Shengal's Khanasor town and attempted to perpetrate a massacre. In response, Êzîdxan's defense forces YBŞ/YJŞ and all our people resisted and averted a massacre. As result of this attack, 7 fighters of ours fell as martyrs by making their bodies a shield against the aggression. We salute this resistance with respect.”

“STATUS QUOIST POWERS ARE IN A DEADLOCK”

The statement continued; "The status quoist, colonialist and dominant powers fearing that their end is near are in a deadlock. We treat this latest attack on Khanasor in this framework and a part of this plan.

It grabs attention that this attack was launched after meetings with Turkish officials, and this attack was planned during those talks. Those involved in the aggression included members of Turkish intelligence MIT and gangs that had taken part in the 73rd massacre against Êzidîs."

"WHERE WERE YOU DURING THE MASSACRE IN SHENGAL?"

Pointing out the attacking groups' claim to protect the Shengal-Rojava border, the Coordination said this area was not held by ISIS and there was nothing to protect there, asking; "Where were you during the 73rd massacre against the Êzidî community in Shengal on August 3, 2014 when ISIS attacked Shengal and its villages, which resulted in the massacre or abduction of thousands, migration of masses and immoral and inhuman practices against the Êzidî people?"

The statement underlined that: "During this process, Iraqi forces and peshmergas left us alone and fled in the face of the savage attacks of the gangs. 12 thousand peshmergas retreated from Shengal and left the people there alone. Those who fled then are a reason for the perpetration of this massacre."

"YBŞ/YJŞ ARE A RESPONSE TO THE MASSACRE"

Êzidî Democratic Society Coordination stressed that it was YPG/YPJ and HPG guerrillas that came to their rescue, opened a corridor and saved thousands of Êzidîs, noting; “Êzidî people have suffered 73 massacres in their history and have no trust left in external powers.”

"KHANASOR IS THE CENTER OF ÊZİDÎ PEOPLE'S WILL"

The statement continued; "During the past two years Êzidî people have rebuilt their will in their land. In addition to defense forces, they rebuilt themselves with in political, social, cultural and religious aspect, they formed their institutions. Khanasor is the center of these reconstruction and it is not depended on any side. These attacks reveal that what is targeted is the will of free Êzidî people. The assailants know very well that the emergence of this will means an end to their interests. This is why they made a plan and attempted to besiege Shengal once again.

Our people treat every policy pursued over Shengal with a doubt, and they are right to do so after all the massacres they have been through. We want no other force on our lands. We have a human and global right to govern and defend ourselves."

"WE CANNOT PROTECT OURSELVES UNLESS WE ARE UNITED"

On this basis, Êzidî Democratic Society Coordination called on the Êzidî people in their holy land, and the Êzidîs in four parts of Kurdistan and abroad to unite under free will and to make their attitude clear, saying; “We should never forget that we cannot defend ourselves and procure acceptance unless we are united. The attack on Khanasor has made some things clear; the attacking groups still stand in the same place and continue to pose a danger. This danger will remain as long as they remain there. For this reason, our people should stand up until these forces retreat, and make the voice of Shengal heard by all international institutions and organisations.

We call on all the peoples in Kurdistan to be aware of the fact that this is not the problem of the Êzidî people alone. It is the problem and a matter of honour for all Kurdistan. All political parties, institutions and organisation, mainly those in South Kurdistan, should obviate this betrayal because these policies only serve the enemies of the Kurdish people.

On the other hand, as this attack also targets the Nineveh culture, we call on Assyrian, Syriac, Turkmen, Kakai, Shabak, Shia and Arab peoples to struggle together with the Êzidî people against the enemy that aims a massacre and assimilation."

DEMANDS

Êzidî Democratic Society Coordination urged international institutions and organisations to not remain silent on these attacks that aim to break the will of Êzidî people, and called on the United Nations and the European Union to handle Shengal under a particular title and agenda.

Êzidî Democratic Society Coordination listed their demands as follows;

1) In order not to pave the way for further problems, the groups that are deployed and causing a trouble in Khanasor must be withdrawn from this territory at once. The situation in Khanasor is a powder keg and we will not be responsible for any further incidents to be experienced there.

2) The weapons coalition forces gave to KDP in the scope of the fight against ISIS should be inspected and these weapons should not be used against our people.

3) International powers should intervene the tense situation in the region and send an independent delegation there to this end.

4) Our Êzidî people are besieged by dominant powers because of their faith and culture. An international circle of defense should be formed for the protection of this culture and faith.

5) As the danger faced by the Êzidî people today also threatens the other peoples in Nineveh, the Assyrian, Syriac, Kakai, Turkmen, Shabak and Arab peoples should also take precautions to protect their culture and faith.

6) We demand that the 73rd massacre against Êzidîs be recognized as a genocide, and the Êzidî people be treated and protected as a historical heritage.

7) We as Êzidî people ask the international community to recognize our will as we are supposed to govern and defend ourselves in line with the consequences drawn from history. We therefore demand the recognition of Shengal's status.

8) The Êzidî society has experienced repeated massacres and attacks, and this danger remains today as well. As we need self-defense forces for this very reason, we demand that YBŞ and YJŞ be recognized and supported as the defense units of Shengal."

CONSTITUENTS

The institutions and organisations forming the Êzidî Democratic Society Coordination are as follows;

EUROPE

Navenda Yekîtiya Komeleyên Êzidiyan (NAV-YEK)- (Centre of Êzidî Associations Union)

Meclîsa Jinên Êzidî ya Ewropayê (Assembly of Êzidî Women in Europe)

Meclîsa Şengalê ya Derveyî Welat (Shengal Diaspora Assembly)

Meclîsa Ciwanên Êzidî ya Ewropayê (Assembly of Êzidî Youth in Europe)

Hevbendiya Êzidiyên Rojava ya Ewropayê (Coalition of Rojava Êzidîs in Europe)

ROJAVA

Yekîtiya Êzidiyan a Kantona Efrînê (Union of Efrîn Canton's Êzidîs)

Yekîtiya Jinên Êzidî ya Kantona Efrînê (Union of Efrîn Canton's Êzidî Women)

Mala Êzidiyan a Kantona Cizîrê (Party of Cizîrê Canton's Êzidîs)

BAKÛRÊ (NORTHERN) KURDISTAN

Platforma Piştgiriya Jinên Êzidî (General Platform of Êzidî Women)

Meclîsa Êzidiyan ên Bakûr ( Northern Kurdistan Assembly of Êzidîs)

RUSSIA

Meclîsa Êzidiyan a Rusyayê (Russian Assembly of Êzidîs)

ARMENIA

Meclîsa Êzidiyan a Ermenîstanê (Armenian Assembly of Êzidîs)

SHENGAL

Meclîsa Avakar a Şengalê (Shengal Constituent Assembly)

Tevgera Azadiya Jinên Êzidî (TAJÊ)- (Movement of Free Êzidî Women)

Partiya Azadî û Demokrasiyê ya Êzidiyan (PADÊ)- (Freedom and Democracy Party of Êzidîs)

Meclîsa Ciwanên Êzidî (Êzidî Youth Assembly)