Yazidi representatives conclude their meeting with Iraqi officials: We adhere to our will

The Yazidis in the district of Shengal took part today in a major demonstration despite the obstruction of the Iraqi forces, which had been called by the Autonomous Administration Council yesterday, in support of Ezidxan Asayish and in rejection of the agreement signed by the Iraqi government with the Kurdistan Democratic Party on October 9, 2020.

After making a statement on behalf of the Autonomous Administration Council, a delegation that included Yazidi representatives, the Democratic Autonomous Administration Council of Shangal, the Yazidi Freedom and Democracy Party, and the Yazidi Women's Freedom Movement met with Iraqi officials to convey the people's demands to them, and the protesters awaited in front of Ezidxan Asayish Center.

The meeting was held at the Iraqi army’s Military Command Headquarter in Shengal, and the Official of the Foreign Relations Committee in the Autonomous Administration Council of Shangal, Khabat Harbou, the Official Spokesperson for the Yazidi Women's Freedom Movement, Naam Badal, and a number of Yazidi dignitaries participated in the meeting.

According to the information obtained from within the meeting, the representatives of the Yazidi community confirmed their adherence to their will, and not to concede their demands on their legitimate right to protect their land and manage their affairs.

As they submitted their requests in writing to Iraqi officials and officers who affirmed their commitment to transfer them to Iraqi officials in the capital, Baghdad.

The Deputy Co-Presidency of the Democratic Autonomous Administration Council in Shengal, Hesso Ibrahim, delivered a speech at one of the Iraqi forces' checkpoints, in which he said that they would not allow Shengal again to be a victim of political calculations.

He added that they will not accept new decrees against them under the name of the law, and in 2014 if there had been Ezidxan Asayish Forces, the Yazidis would not have been subjected to that decree.

Hesso Ibrahim conveyed the Yazidis' requests that Shengal be a decentralized region, and said: "We are not against the laws of Iraq, and according to Iraqi laws, we demand our rights."

D.H