MESOP NEWS : OPEN ROAD FOR YAZIDIS – Yazidi rights organization YAZDA to reopen offices in Iraqi Kurdistan: statement

18 Jan 2017 – DUHOK, Iraq’s Kurdistan region,— The Yazidi rights organization, YAZDA, said in press release on Wednesday that it has reached a deal with Kurdistan Regional Government KRG with regards to reopening YAZDA offices in the Kurdish region. Earlier in January Kurdish authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan have closed the offices of the organization due to involvement in “political activities” which violated regulations on NGO work.

The statement said: “Following a series of positive meetings with concerned parties within the Kurdistan Regional Government “KRG”, a positive result was reached with regards to reopening Yazda facilities and projects in Kurdistan Region of Iraq “KRI” after resolving issues between the two sides. The closure of Yazda’s facilities and projects was due to a misunderstanding and translation of some of Yazda activities as transgression to KRG laws and regulations relates to NGOs.

Yazda recognizes that the current situation is extremely difficult and many complexities exist, which may result in misunderstanding concerning the work of any organization. We reiterate that Yazda will follow all KRG laws and regulations regarding NGOs as it does in all countries where Yazda operates. Yazda will also continue to work in accordance with the principles on which Yazda was founded. We at Yazda believe in cooperation that is based on mutual respect and dialogue to deal with the genocide that resulted in a catastrophic impact on the Yazidi community. We affirm that Yazda is not a political entity, nor linked to any political entities nor supports any side. Yazda is a neutral, moderate and professional organization formed to support victims of the Yazidi Genocide through advocating for a future with security so that the Genocide is not repeated against Yazidis in the future.

Yazda leadership expresses its gratitude to all parties who contributed in resolving the differences. Yazda highly appreciates our local and international partners, thanks the KRG for their understanding and affirms its commitment to work within the regulations of KRI so that the misunderstanding is not repeated. We look forward to continuing our humanitarian programmes alongside our advocacy for the Yazidi case and on behalf of the victims of Genocide on both the international and local level.”

Yazda has provided emergency aid, including psychological care, to Yazidi women and girls upon their rescue. They also provide education and training to create opportunities for women and girls to build stable, self-sufficient futures. www.mesop.de