Armenian Parliament designates 3 August as day of remembrance for victims of Yezidi genocide

YEREVAN — The Armenian Parliament has unanimously passed a resolution declaring 3 August as an annual day of remembrance for the victims of the Yezidi Genocide committed by the Islamic State (ISIS) beginning in 2014. The initiative, spearheaded by Yezidi MP Rustam Bakuyan from the ruling Civil Contract (K’aghak’atsiakan Paymanagir, KP) party, garnered widespread support.

Vice President of the National Assembly Hagop Arshakian emphasized the solidarity of the Armenian people with the Yezidi community, drawing parallels to their shared histories of persecution. He underscored the importance of fostering love and tolerance, stating unequivocally that no one should suffer discrimination based on religion, language, color, or political beliefs.

The decision commemorates the horrific events of 3 August 2014, when ISIS terrorists launched a brutal assault on Shigur (Shengal / Sinjar), Iraq, perpetrating massacres against Yezidi civilians and subjecting thousands of Yezidi women and children to abduction and enslavement, with many still unaccounted for to this day.