ABOUT THIS PETITION

In 2014, hundreds of thousands of Yezidis were displaced, scattered across the world, forced to abandon their homes, lands, and belongings. The Yezidi homeland—Şingal and its surrounding towns and villages—fell into the hands of ISIS. Kurdish guerrilla fighters and resistance forces later liberated Şingal. Yet, even more than ten years later, much of the city still lies in ruins. While some Yezidis have returned, a significant portion of the population remains displaced.

There are many obstacles preventing displaced Yezidis from returning to their homeland: Ongoing security concerns, administrative failures, lack of public services, and the absence of a functioning infrastructure or reconstruction system. Although both Yezidi organizations and segments of the international community are calling for and supporting the return of the community to Şingal, the existing barriers make it impossible for many to go back to their lands and homes.

Even though the ISIS attack of August 3, 2014, has been recognized as genocide by 15 countries, the Federal Government of Iraq still refuses to officially acknowledge it as such. In such a deeply unjust situation, it is critical for the United Nations and international humanitarian organizations to offer support for the reconstruction of Şingal and for enabling the safe return of the Yezidi people.

 

The Democratic and Autonomous Council of Şingal