HÊVÎDAR ŞENGALÎ

Shengal (Sinjar)- On August 6, the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq decided to dissolve three political parties, the Freedom Movement (Tevgera Azadî), the Yazidi Freedom and Democracy Party (PADÊ) the Democratic Struggle Front representing the will of the Kurdish and Yazidi people in Iraq. Reacting to the decision, Yazidi women said they would stand with their party to the end.

‘The Turkish state and the KDP are behind this decision’

“This decision is not a decision made only by Iraq,” said Filûs Berkat, member of the Peoples’ Assembly in Shengal’s Xanesor town. “The Turkish state and the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) are behind this decision. We will not allow them to close down our party. This decision is the continuation of the genocide against the Yazidi community. They aim to silence and annihilate Yazidis by trying to close down the PADÊ. Instead of trying to close down the PADÊ, they (Iraqi authorities) must hold the Turkish state and ISIS responsible for the genocide against the Yazidi community and rescue Yazidi women held captive by ISIS. We will never remain silent and always struggle.”

‘The PADÊ preserves Yazidi culture’

Sêvê Xwedêda, member of the Peoples’ Assembly in Shengal’s Snune town, condemned the decision of the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq. “They decided to close down the PADÊ on the anniversary of the Yazidi genocide. The aim of the decision is to annihilate the Yazidi community by closing down the PADÊ. We do not accept this decision because the PADÊ protects Yazidis and preserve Yazidi culture. They must hold those responsible for the genocide accountable instead of closing the PADÊ.”