The Yazidi institutions in Europe issued a written statement to condemn the death sentence handed down to four young Yazidis in Iraq and said the sentences “are politically motivated and in the spirit of ISIS.”

The statement said: “The high court of the Iraqi state in Mosul has handed down a death sentence on four young Yazidis, which deeply shocks the entire Yazidi community around the world. These young people (Shaalan Elias Qasim Selo, Farouk Hama Faisal Hama, Saeed Khader Saadou Tariffs, Ahmad Faris Salih Faris) are accused of killing two Arab men in September 2020. Such a tragic act was and is condemned by all Yazidis, regardless of by whom and against whom it was perpetrated. According to various sources, these young people are said to have had nothing to do with the crime itself. It is particularly unacceptable if such incidents are always used as a pretext to purposefully raise the mood against the Yazidis in the region. For the same motivation, ISIS committed a systematic genocide against our religious community in August 2014.”

The statement continued: “If the legal understanding of a state is politically motivated and accordingly places the rights of the majority over the rights of the minorities and acts in this sense, it loses its legitimacy entirely. The Iraqi state is obliged to consistently protect also the minorities and their rights against the ruling majority society, especially when it comes to the Yazidi religious community, which was the victim of genocide seven years ago with devastating consequences that continue to this day.

Instead of pursuing a positive and sensitive strategy in the interests of the Yazidis, unfortunately the opposite is being observed in Iraq. This ongoing tendency towards discrimination naturally destroys the Yazidis' hope and perspective of being able to live in peace, freedom and security. Under these circumstances, the desired return of the refugees from the camps to their traditional settlement areas cannot take place at all. In this respect, we consider this verdict to be solely politically motivated and not of justice. It must therefore be withdrawn immediately and a new, fair trial must take place under the observation of international institutions.”

The statement called “on the Iraqi government, the international community and all influential countries to ensure justice and the protection of minorities in this specific case,” and added: “These young people do not deserve death, but a life in freedom and security.”

The statement is signed by the following organizations of the Yazidis in Europe:

NAV-YEK - Central Association of Yazidi Associations

SMJÊ - Umbrella organization of the Yazidi Women's Council

HCÊ - Alliance of Yazidi Youth

MSD Shengal’s People's Council in Exile

HÊS - Unity of the Yazidis from Syria

NÇÊ - Center of Yazidi Artists

SMGÊ - Umbrella organization of the Yazidi villages