​​​​​​​KCK: Perpetrators of Shengal genocide will be held to account

The co-chairmanship of the Executive Council of KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) published a written statement on the occasion of the anniversary of the Shengal Massacre.

The statement reads: “On the 8^th anniversary, we once again condemn the massacre carried out in Shengal against our Yazidi people and commemorate those who lost their lives. The Kurdish Freedom Movement, the Kurdish people and the people of Shengal will never forget this massacre. Just as they have done up until now, they will continue to hold the perpetrators of the massacre to account for their crimes”

The statement continued: “This massacre carried out by ISIS against the Yazidi community, is one of the most brutal and painful massacres in the history of humanity. This massacre was carried out in front of the eyes of the region`s states, but there were no attempts by them to prevent it and the Yazidi community was left face to face with the massacre. The Shengal genocide is a great shame for humanity and especially for the region. The correct way forward is for humanity to stand by the struggle for freedom and the existance of the people of Shengal in order to prevent another genocide from happening against the Yazidi community. One must support the struggle of the people of Shengal for their beliefs, identities and culture.”

SELF DEFENSE AND SELF ORGANIZATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF SHENGAL IS MANDATORY

The statement continued: “The people of Shengal, who were massacred throughout history, were also massacred in the 21st century. Thus, self-defense and also from a political side- self-organization of the people of Shengal is not only a right, it is mandatory. As the Kurdish Freedom Movement, we see it meaningful and correct that the people of Shengal defend themselves with their will and their right to speak. This approach is legitimate and a most natural right. Thus, everyone must support the people of Shengal who demand the right to have a say about their own lives. Support this means honoring the people of Shengal. Those who question this do not have good intentions. It is only those who don`t wish for Shengal and the Yazidi people to hold on to their rights who will question this topic. The KDP holds such an attitude and approach. Because the KDP wishes to regain their rule over Shengal like they previously did, they are against the self-governance and self-defense for the people of Shengal.”

SILENCE TOWARDS THE ATTACKS ON SHENGAL MEANS BEING COMPLICIT

Towards the end of their statement, the KCK pointed towards several factors regarding support for the people of Shengal and said: “Not standing up against the attacks on Shengal means being complicit in the attacks. The correct approach is to support the struggle of the people of Shengal who wants to life with peace and stability and have the right to a say over their own lives”

The statement continued: “For a free life with culture and the beliefs of our Yazidi people who have been subjected to genocide, first and foremost the United Nations and all others must take responsibility”

KCK concluded their statement by saying: “In the name of the Kurdish Freedom Movement, on the 8th anniversary of the Shengal massacre, in the person of the martyrs of the massacre and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Shengal`s liberation, we commemorate all the martyrs of the revolution and democracy once again and repeat the promise we made to them. We say, like before, we still stand with the people of Shengal. We see Shengal and our Yezidi people as the trust of Leader Apo and we consider ourselves indebted and responsible for the existence and free life of Ezidkhan. We once again call on the Yezidis to return to their land and to join efforts to achieve the goal of a free Yezidi home.”