Shengal_Participants in the meeting emphasized the continued suffering of those abducted by ISIS, stressing the necessity of Yazidi unity and intensifying international pressure to reveal the fate of the dtained women and children.

The Yazidi Free Women’s Movement (TAJÊ) held a meeting today, Wednesday, August 26, at the Shengal Center, within the framework of its campaign bearing the slogan "For Justice and Freedom, Be the Voice of the Survivors of the Genocide." The meeting was initiated by the movement's administrative committee and attended by women who were rescued from ISIS violence, at the Shengal People's Commune.

Reham Hajjo, spokesperson for the Yazidi Free Women's Movement (TAJÊ), emphasized the importance of strengthening the organization of women survivors and leading a joint struggle at the international level. "Everyone speaks about the survivors of the genocide. As a movement, we stand against this reality and want to alleviate the pain they have endured. On this basis, we launched our campaign under the slogan 'For Justice and Freedom, Be the Voice of the Survivors of the Genocide.' This step came for the freedom of the captives and for achieving equitable justice that restores their rights."

She added that Yazidi women and children faced high levels of brutality during the genocide, expressing her happiness that women survivors are now organizing themselves. "We are proud that the survivors are organizing themselves. This organization must become stronger and more influential. We have a saying: 'You cannot clap with one hand.' If we unite as a community and join hands, we can create international pressure."

Reham Hajjo pointed to the important role of women survivors, affirming that the effects of the genocide on the Yazidi community are immense. "Your task is difficult. You are witnesses to the genocide and what the Yazidi community endured in Shengal in 2014. You may not be working in any institution, but for the unity of the Yazidis, you must bear responsibility. Shengal today needs your strength. If your voices unite and you organize your ranks, you can achieve a lot for our community."

She also addressed the misconceptions that were prevalent in the community, such as the claim that "if survivors return to Shengal, they will be killed." She affirmed that the struggle of women has proven these ideas wrong. "You transformed that suffering into will, organization, and self-confidence, and you became the most prominent force in your community."

 

International Pressure for Genocide Recognition

Regarding the campaign's goals, Reham Hajjo explained that their work is not limited to Shengal but also extends to Europe, where they seek to organize a broad campaign led by Yazidi women in Europe, Russia, Armenia, and Yazidi women's organizations in Germany, with the aim of holding a conference for survivors in Europe to create international pressure for genocide recognition.

On unresolved issues such as forensic medicine and the opening of mass graves of martyrs, Reham Hajjo said: "No one gives us our rights voluntarily. If we do not struggle for our rights, no one will do it on our behalf. As a women's movement, we will remain by your side until the end."

Amira Khwaida, one of the survivors from ISIS captivity, spoke about the day of the genocide and the harsh suffering that accompanied it, affirming that a large number of Yazidi women and children are still detained by ISIS. "August 3 will remain an open day for them, as long as there is one woman in the grip of ISIS." She noted that the continuation of pain is due to the failure of official authorities to fulfill their duty. "Yazidi unity is an urgent necessity to exert effective pressure on concerned states to address the file of the abductees."