On August 3, 2014, Êzidîs faced the 74th edict in Shengal. Thousands of Êzidîs were abducted by ISIS and ISIS used Êzidî women and children as slaves. The Êzidî women abducted by ISIS become the common wound of the whole world. Shortly before the anniversary of the 74^th edict or genocide against Êzidîs, the women of Shengal came together at the Mektaba Sor (Red School) where ISIS held the abducted Êzidî women and children.

Shengal- Seven years have passed since the 74^th edict was carried out against Êzidî in Shengal. ISIS abducted 6,373 Êzidîs, including 3,504 women. The fate of more than 3,000 people, mostly women and children is still unknown. The genocide has turned into a wound and anger in the hearts of Êzidî women. Under the leadership of women, the Êzidî people have held protests demanding the thousands of Êzidîs held captive by ISIS be rescued.

Êzidî women held a protest at the Shengal’s Mektaba Sor (Red School) where ISIS held the abducted thousands of Êzidî women and children under the leadership of the Yazidi Women’s Support Group Foundation.

Yazidi Women’s Support Group Foundation board member Riham Hesen read a written statement on behalf of Êzidî women. The Êzidî women emphasized in the statement that no news has been received from the women abducted by ISIS and that the Iraqi government has kept silent on this issue.

The fate of Êzidî women is unknown

We spoke to Riham Hesen after she read the statement. “After the genocide, Shengal turns into a place of protests every year at this time,” she said, “We held our protest at the school where abducted Êzidî women had been held. We chose this school for our protest because Daesh took our women and children here and tortured them. They (ISIS members) separated men, women, elders, and children at this school. This school is a symbol of genocide against Êzidîs so we will turn this school into a resistance and struggle area. Seven years have passed since the genocide took place but we still do not know the fate of thousands of Êzidî people held captive by Daesh and the government does nothing about this issue. The Iraqi government signed an agreement over Shengal on October 9 but there is no Êzidîs in this agreement. Êzidîs have the will to make their own decisions. After the genocide, Êzidîs, particularly women, organized themselves and they have struggled to protect themselves. If they want to have an agreement, they should first recognize the will of Êzidî women. As Êzidîs, we don’t recognize this agreement.”

“We are in contact with the SDF to rescue Êzidîs”

Riham Hesen talked about the efforts of the SDF to rescue Êzidîs from ISIS, “The support of the SDF to the Êzidî community is very important, we are still in contact with the SDF to rescue Êzidîs. We are hopeful in rescuing our people from Daesh and we will continue to look for our people. The Iraqi government can form a commission to find Êzidî people abducted by Daesh.”