Letters sent to 19 countries urging recognition of Shigur (Şengal / Sinjar) massacres as a genocide

SHIGUR, Iraq – As the 11th anniversary of the massacres committed by the Islamic State (ISIS) in Shigur (Şengal / Sinjar), Iraq, approaches, the Yezidi Women’s Freedom Movement (Tevgera Azadiya Jinên Êzîdî, TAJÊ) has sent an official letter to 19 countries urging them to recognize the atrocities as genocide against the Yezidi people.

The TAJÊ Diplomatic Committee stated in its letter:

“Eleven years have passed since ISIS massacres against the Yezidi community in Shengal, the 74th genocide in this people’s history. Yet, despite the violations being committed in front of the world’s eyes, the suffering of survivors and victims’ families continues. The fate of thousands remains unknown, and new mass graves are still being uncovered to this day.”

The committee emphasized that the ISIS massacre in 2014, led to the killing, abduction and displacement of thousands of Yezidis, with women and children being the primary victims.

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It further noted that around 2,900 people, mostly women and children, remain missing, in addition to the existence of dozens of unexhumed mass graves.

The TAJÊ confirmed that it has compiled a comprehensive file containing documents and evidence proving that the events in Shigur meet the legal definition of genocide under international law. So far, 14 countries have officially recognized these crimes as genocide.

Read Also: Swiss Parliament officially recognizes Yezidi Genocide committed by Islamic State

The TAJÊ letter stressed:

“As Yezidi women, we are taking action to prevent further assaults on women and our people. After the 2014 genocide, we organized ourselves in 2015, first as a small group of women, then as a larger collective. To ensure women remain a source of strength and can defend themselves against any attack, we have expanded and strengthened our work. Organizing women is not only crucial for us but also a response to the genocide imposed on our people.”

The letters, sent to representatives from France, Italy, Spain, China, and the United Nations, call for formal recognition of the genocide committed against the Yezidi people in Shigur.