Sema
Statement
It is well known that Sinjar, particularly the Ezidi community, was subjected to one of the most horrific acts of genocide during the ISIS invasion in 2014. This heinous crime inflicted deep wounds on the Ezidi community that have yet to heal. These include mass graves containing hundreds of victims, the abduction of thousands of our mothers, sisters, and loved ones, the harsh experience of displacement, the painful reality of migration, and the continued lack of effective administration and public services.
Despite these challenges, we believe that all parties, particularly the federal government, in coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government, have a duty to heal the wounds of the Ezidis and resolve all outstanding issues through constructive and meaningful dialogue.
Regarding the Sinjar area, we reaffirm that it is an integral part of the geographical territory of the Kurdistan Region. Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution grants the people of Sinjar and other disputed areas separated from the Kurdistan Region the right to choose whether to join the Region or remain under the federal government, through the referendum intended to be held in these areas.
It is worth noting that, in the 2017 referendum, 93% of the people of Sinjar, particularly our Ezidi community, voted in favor of joining the Kurdistan Region within a federal Iraq that guarantees the rights of all citizens without distinction or discrimination.
Finally, we reaffirm our commitment to the statement by His Excellency President Masoud Barzani:
“The Ezidis are the ones who decide their own future, not political blocs.”
Lalish Cultural and Social Center – Duhok
October 29, 2026