Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) marked the 10th anniversary of the Yazidi Genocide with a statement urging the people of Sinjar (Şengal) to determine their own future and highlighting the need for national and local solidarity.
Sinjar, historical homeland of Yazidi people with their unique religion and culture, is a district in the Nineveh Governorate of northern Iraq. It is located in the Sinjar Mountains, near the border with Syria.
KNK condemned the genocidal attack by ISIS in 2014, which they described as a targeted assault on the Yazidi community, facilitated by regional powers including Turkey, Iran and the Baghdad government.
In its statement the congress highlighted how ISIS’ actions symbolised broader hatred and hostility towards the Kurds and Kurdistan, aiming to undermine Kurdish gains and re-impose colonial systems. It also detailed the atrocities committed, including the genocide of Yazidis, abductions of women and children, and the sale of Yazidi women as slaves.
The KNK praised the sacrifices of Kurdish guerrilla forces, as well as the support from international human rights organisations, in the fight against ISIS. It criticised the 9 July 2020 agreement between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Baghdad administration for failing to protect Sinjar and emphasised the need for Sinjar to maintain its distinct identity and resist further plans aimed at undermining its autonomy.
In addition, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party also marked the anniversary with a statement from the party’s Women’s Assembly, proposing 3 August be declared International Action Day Against Femicide and Genocide. They highlighted the ongoing struggle of Yazidi women, who, despite the genocide and attacks, continue to fight for their rights and freedom. DEM Party criticised regional and international powers for their roles in the attacks and called for Turkey to officially recognise the 2014 atrocities as genocide.
