'Türkiye should recognize Ezîdî genocide'
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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Feleknas Uca has submitted a law proposal for the recognition of the Ezîdî Genocide on the eighth anniversary of the mass slaughter of Ezîdîs in Shingal, Iraqi Kurdistan.
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany have recognized the Ezîdî Genocide.
"The majority of the Ezîdî people, who were separated from each other by the borders, lived in the Shexan and Shengal regions in the Iraqi Kurdistan Federated Region, and some of them lived in Armenia, Georgia, Afrin, Syrian Aleppo and the southeast of Türkiye.
"Throughout history, Ezîdîs have been subjected to genocide, massacred and forced to migrate many times, especially because of their faith.
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"For this reason, Ezîdîs are dispersed in different parts of the world, such as Europe, America and Canada.
"The Êzidîs in the lands ruled by the Ottoman Empire, which ruled a large part of the Middle East, were not given the status of a nation by the Ottoman administration.
"The Ezîdîs living in the Republic of Türkiye immigrated to different parts of the world in the 1960s.
"The fate of the Ezîdîs, who were massacred 74 times in the past because of their different beliefs, did not change in the 21st century, and the Ezîdîs, who have passed their beliefs and cultures to the present day, were deprived of the means of defense against ISIS's combat vehicles and equipment with a devastating power. They were subjected to the massacre called the 74th Edict.
"The Ezîdîs who were displaced by ISIS were left for dead and deprived of all their material foundations to continue their lives.
"Thousands of Ezîdîs were killed, thousands of women and children were kidnapped, hundreds of children and sick and old people lost their lives because of hunger and thirst, heat during the day and cold at night.
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"The whole world, especially Türkiye, the Iraqi Kurdistan Federated Region, Iraq and the United Nations should protect Ezîdîs. This cultural belief has been inherited not only by the Kurds, but by all humanity.
"The UN report included many recommendations for countries that should take responsibility for the genocide directly, such as Syria and Iraq, especially the UN agencies, as well as countries that are a part of the problem because they receive Ezîdî migration, such as Türkiye.
"As one of the countries hosting the sacred lands of the ancient Ezîdî community, Türkiye should be a country to take responsibility to prevent the destruction of the Ezîdî faith and culture through massacres and genocides. Unfortunately, the genocide against the Êzidî people was seen all over the world too late.
"Türkiye, which is the homeland of the Ezîdîs, has still not accepted the massacre of Ezîdîs by ISIS as genocide.
"In the eighth year of the genocide against the Ezîdî-Kurds, Türkiye should play its historical role by recognizing this genocide and waging an effective fight against ISIS." (EMK/VK)