3 August marks the eighth anniversary of the beginning of the ISIS genocide in the Shengal region in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq). The largest umbrella organisation of the Kurdish diaspora in Germany, KON-MED, is calling for actions to mark this day.

KON-MED demands the international classification of the mass murder of Shengal as genocide and the recognition of the autonomy of Êzîdxan, the Yazidi region. With reference to the current Turkish attacks on Shengal, KON-MED is calling for protests in many cities.

In the appeal, the association attributes great responsibility for the genocide to the Turkish state in particular, as the largest supporter of ISIS, and speaks of a continuing threat: "Although eight years have passed since the Shengal mass murder of 3 August 2014, AKP fascism continues its anti-Kurdish policy. This extends to air strikes on the Shengal region, which has already suffered so much. The people of the Shengal region are surrounded from all sides. However, they are resisting this blockade and working to rebuild their lives. The dreams of hundreds of martyrs, especially Mam Zekî and Mam Beşîr, are being realised by the Yazidis living in Shengal. The Yazidi people have formed their own council and autonomous administration and are determined not to fall into the clutches of the reign of terror again. Thus, they have built their self-defence in the form of the YBŞ (Shengal Resistance Units) and YJŞ (Shengal Women’s Units) with the aim of preventing any further genocide and being able to build a free life."

Recognise the genocide and the autonomous administration

KON-MED calls on the German state and the United Nations, the EU and all democratic states and their parliaments to classify the mass murder of 3 August as genocide.

“At the same time, an autonomous status, which is the self-defence of Êzîdxan, should be recognized. Because only in this way can the Yazidi people, who were exposed to the most mass murders among the Kurds, be protected. With the recognition of the massacre of 3 August 2014 as genocide, the autonomy of Êzîdxan must also be recognised. This is a historical responsibility towards the Yazidis and the only way towards dealing with and interpreting the 74th genocide suffered by the Yazidis.”

"Victory for humanity"

Regarding the liberation of Shengal, KON-MED states that this is not only a victory for the Kurdish people, but for all humanity, and should be embraced with a spirit of mobilization. "On this basis, we call for strong participation in the actions and events that will take place in many cities in Germany under the leadership of YJK-E and SMJÊ with the slogan 'Let us increase the resistance for a free and autonomous Shengal'."

Achim: Rally | Am Marktplatz | 5.00 p.m.

Berlin: Rally | Brandenburg Gate | 6.00 p.m. (information stand from 4.00 p.m.)

Bielefeld: Demonstration | Central Station | 5.00 p.m.

Bremen: Rally | Bremische Bürgerschaft | 4.00 p.m.

Celle: Infostand | Poststr./Ecke Stechbahn | 12.00 to 16.00 hrs

Darmstadt: Rally | Luisenplatz | 6.00 p.m.

Dortmund: Rally | Kampfstraße | 6.30 p.m.

Essen: Commemoration | Old Synagogue | 7.30 p.m.

Frankfurt: Commemoration and rally | Ni Una Menos Platz (Liebfrauenberg) | 6.00 p.m.

Hamburg: Rally | Jungfernstieg | 4.00 p.m.

Hamelin: Demonstration | Central Station | 2.30 p.m.

Hanover: Rally/demonstration | Hauptbahnhof/Ernst-August-Platz | 5.00 p.m.

Kiel: Rally | Europa-Platz | 3.00 p.m.

Cologne: Commemoration | Domplatte | 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Mannheim: Rally | Paradeplatz | 6.00 p.m.

Saarbrücken: Rally | Europa-Galerie | 6.30 p.m.

Stuttgart: Rally | Schlossplatz | 6.00 p.m.

Wesel: Demonstration | Berliner Tor | 4.00 p.m.