ANKARA - The HDP Women's Council issued a statement on the anniversary of the genocide carried out by ISIS against the Yazidi people in Shengal.

 

The HDP statement pointed out that the attacks were carried out by mercenaries of the Turkish state. "Let’s declare 3 August as International Action Day against crimes and genocide against women.”

 

The statement said: "Today marks the 6th anniversary of the genocide carried out by ISIS mercenaries in Shengal. On 3 August 2014, thousands of Yazidi were subjected to genocide, 6000 women and children were kidnapped, 400 thousand Yazidi were forced to emigrate."

 

The statement emphasized that women and children who were taken prisoner were subjected to sexual torture and to forced conversion. Many were sold in exchange for money in the slave markets. "This violence imposed on Yazidi women in particular are a continuation of the policy of targeting women.”

 

The HDP also pointed out that the attacks continue to be carried out by ISIS mercenaries supported by the AKP-MHP government in North and East Syria today.

 

"At the International Yazidi Women Conference in Germany on 11-12 March 2017, it was emphasized that an internationally effective struggle for the liberation of Yazidi women captured by ISIS mercenaries is essential and within this framework, 3 August is considered as ‘International Day of Action against crimes and genocide against women’. We state that the struggle should be increased in order not to repeat the gender slaughter against women.”

 

The statement ended reminded that “the Yazidi people have been subjected to genocide for 73 times throughout history. They have formed the People's and Women's Councils expressing their collective will on Mount Shengal today. By organizing their own defense, the Yazidi women also set an example for all the peoples of the world and all oppressed women who are at risk of genocide and attack. We, the women of the HDP, once again salute this resistance and the struggle of the Yazidi women who have survived despite all the persecution and torture. Their struggle is our struggle.”