ABOUT THIS PETITION

Ezidism is one of the oldest beliefs of the Middle East, rooted in a rich and authentic culture. Despite being subjected to 73 massacres, it has spread across the Middle East and the world. However, a significant part of the Yazidi population continues to live in the provinces of Mosul and Duhok.

Shingal, which administratively falls under the province of Mosul and is connected to the central government of Iraq, became one of the disputed territories after the fall of the Ba’ath regime. This status is outlined in Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution. After the collapse of the Ba’ath regime, Peshmerga forces affiliated with the KDP and Iraqi forces took control of the region.

When ISIS attacked in 2014, both Iraqi and KDP-affiliated forces withdrew, abandoning the Yazidis in Shingal and Mosul to the hands of ISIS. This led to the 74th genocide. As a result of the ISIS massacre, thousands of Yazidis who refused to convert were executed, buried alive, or forced into exile. Thousands of Yazidi women and children were taken captive, sold in slave markets, and subjected to abuse. Many young women, unwilling to surrender or accept abuse, ended their own lives. The fate of thousands of Yazidis remains unknown, and thousands more are still displaced or in the hands of ISIS.

As a response to the genocide, one year after the massacre, a group of Yazidis announced the formation of the “Assembly of the Survivors” in the Serdesht area of Mount Shingal. In 2017, the Democratic and Autonomous Assembly of Shingal (MXDŞ) declared its formation amidst the ongoing conflict and chaos in the region and Iraq. Since then, it has been working to defend, organize, and rebuild Shingal, protecting it from all cultural, social, and physical attacks. Thanks to the Autonomous Administration, a significant part of Shingal has been reconstructed.

However, despite all efforts, the right to self-governance for the Yazidis has not yet been recognized. This right is guaranteed by the Iraqi Constitution, yet the lack of official status for Yazidis continues to leave them vulnerable to genocide and massacres. Additionally, many Yazidis are still unable to return to their homes and lands.

We know that if Shingal is lost, Ezidism may also vanish, and Yazidis will not be able to escape the cultural and physical genocides they have faced. Today, they are still facing the threat of cultural and physical extermination. In order to prevent another genocide and to ensure that Yazidis’ rights to self-governance and protection are recognized, we launched a campaign on March 13, 2024 – the anniversary of Shingal’s liberation – to raise awareness about the genocide.

This campaign is being carried out both digitally and through on-the-ground efforts. Not only Yazidis inside the country but also those in the diaspora, as well as friends, freedom seekers, and human rights defenders, are invited to join our campaign.

The Self-Governing and Democratic Council of Shingal