On the 10th anniversary of the Yazidi genocide, we reflect on a significant interview with Yazidi journalist Eyüp Burç, which was originally conducted on the 9th anniversary. Burç, a member of the Germany-based Yazidi Culture Foundation, underscored several critical demands from the Yazidi community.
In an exclusive interview with Medya News, Yazidi journalist Eyüp Burç discusses the ninth commemoration of the Yazidi Genocide by ISIS.https://t.co/6BgEO9OQo3 pic.twitter.com/4xI5BEh5be
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Burç emphasised the urgent need for a UN tribunal to prosecute those responsible for the genocide. “A court for the Yazidi genocide, a tribunal, must be established immediately under the auspices of the United Nations,” he declared, highlighting the importance of international justice.
He also addressed the situation of displaced Yazidis, who continue to reside in camps far from their homes. “The Yazidis must be enabled to return to their villages. The process of returning and settling in their homes must be ensured, either through the initiative of the United Nations or with support from Western states,” Burç asserted.
Another key aspect of his advocacy was the establishment of an autonomous “Ezidixan” region in line with Article 105 of the Iraqi constitution. Burç argued, “Urgently, a de facto, autonomous ‘Ezidixan’ region that includes Sinjar in the disputed area, as foreseen by Article 105 of the Iraqi constitution, must be established.” He stressed that this region would provide security and allow Yazidis to freely exercise their cultural rights.
Burç also criticised Turkey’s policy of forced conversion and its impact on Yazidis. He condemned the Turkish airstrikes targeting Sinjar and called for the international community to impose a no-fly zone to protect Yazidi lands and heritage.
The interview also highlighted the historical neglect of Yazidi rights, referencing their exclusion from the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and the lack of protection for Yazidi cultural rights, including the preservation of the Kurdish language.
The Yazidi community continues to seek justice and recognition, emphasising the importance of implementing Article 105 of the Iraqi constitution to ensure their safety and cultural preservation in the aftermath of the genocide.
Article 105 of the Iraqi Constitution pertains to the administration of regions and provinces. Specifically, it outlines the establishment of federal regions and the process for their creation. This article is part of the broader framework for decentralised governance in Iraq, allowing for the creation of federal regions that can manage their own local affairs while being part of the federal system.
The Yazidi community has advocated for the implementation of Article 105 to establish a self-administered region that would ensure their security and cultural preservation, especially in the wake of the ISIS genocide. This region would ideally provide them with greater control over their own affairs and protect their unique identity and cultural heritage.
