HÊVÎ EZDA

Shangal (Sinjar)-  In an interview with NuJINHA, Şirin Şengal and Welat Cano, members of the Yazidi Free Women's Movement (Kurdish: Tevgera Azadiya Jinên Êzîdî-TAJÊ), made evaluations to mark 10th anniversary of the Shengal Democratic Autonomous Assembly.

“Before the genocide, we did not know anything about how we could organize and govern ourselves. Since the establishment of the Shengal Democratic Autonomous Assembly on January 14, 2015, we have organized and governed ourselves. Now, we defend ourselves. We will no longer bow to the invaders and we will strengthen our system,” said Şirin Şengal.

‘We now govern ourselves’

The Yazidi people in Shengal have an autonomous system and protect their own values, Welat Cano emphasized. “After the liberation of Shengal, everyone took action and established their organizations in a short time. Today, our children ensure our safety. Our children receive education in their mother language. We develop our economy and the healthcare system provides better service. Our municipalities provide service to people. Before the genocide, we did not do anything for ourselves. But now we do not need anyone anymore, we govern ourselves.”

‘We should not forget the genocide against us’

Emphasizing that the Yazidis should defend their system in Shengal, Welat Cano said:

“We should not forget the genocide against us. The whole world just watched what happened when the genocide was conducted against us. We have lost many people until now. We should always remember our martyrs. The attacks on our community have intensified because we managed to take historical steps in a short time. We should keep realizing our dreams despite all the attacks.”