The KDP’s policies towards the Yazidis are attracting mounting criticism. TEVDA executive Munzur Dersim called on the KDP government and institutions affiliated to it to abandon these policies.

Criticisms of the KDP’s policies towards the people of Yazidi people of Sinjar are increasing. Following the attacks by ISIS gangs on Sinjar on 3 August 2014 the KDP failed to defend the people, leading to the slaughter and abduction of thousands of people. TEVDA executive Munzur Dersim said that since 2003 the KDP government had been in control of Sinjar and during that time had not made preparations to defend the people. “As a result they failed to defend the people and they themselves became accomplices in the slaughter,” he said.

Dersim said the KDP were openly hostile to the popular assemblies and schools set up by the Yazidi people in Sinjar. “They refuse to recognise the Sinjar assembly, and arrest young people who join the ranks of the YBŞ and YPJ-Sinjar. Now they have said they do not recognise the schools that have been set up to teach Yazidi children their history and faith. Such policies demonstrate that the KDP does not recognise the will of the Yazidi people,” he underlined.

‘Our people should not be deceived by the KDP’

Dersim said that since the massacre of last year the KDP had both attacked the Yazidi people and tried to buy their support. “They have given some people guns, ammunition, tents and provisions in order to soften their reactions to the KDP’s role in the massacre. They have gained some support in this way. However, our people should oppose these policies and support the Yazidi Assembly that represents the will of the people. They should also lend their support to the schools. In such a way we can prevent such massacres recurring,” he added.