MESOP : By the Central Council of Yezidis in Germany / Yezidi delegation & US Consul-General in Iraq discuss ways forward

30 Aug 2014 11:05 AM PDT – A lot has been done so far to help the suffering people in Northern Iraq. Today we know that most of this help does not get to the refugees. Some needs of the refugees have yet to be considered and as of yet, nothing has been done for those in the captivity of the IS monsters. This is why we put a lot of hope in the meeting between Telim Tolan, head of the Central Council of Yezidis in Germany, and Joseph S. Penningtion, Consul-General of the USA in Iraq on August 25 in Erbil.

Further participants from the US side were the leading officials in Erbil: William R. Stilkworth (Deputy Principal Officer) and David R. Fuller (Political Officer). Tolan was accompanied by Hazim Mir Tashin, son of Mir Tashin Beg, secular leader of all Yezidis and Pir Nasir, on behalf of General Qasim Shesho.

One of the most important subjects of the meeting was the situation of Qasim Shesho and his defense forces in Sherfedin. The delegation demanded delivery of heavy weapons as well as logistic supplies and nutrition to the Yezidi Defense Forces as soon as possible.

Further important points were the creation of an international protection zone, at best under control of the UN or the USA, as well as an immediate improvement of the refugees’ situation.

Moreover, the delegation repeatedly mentioned Turkey’s lack of cooperation regarding the opening of its borders for refugees and the lack of medical support as well as the unbearable hygienic circumstances. In addition to this, Tolan talked about the loss of trust in the Kurdistan Regional Government, and consequently asked for the Consul-General’s support regarding unbureaucratic entry into the USA, the EU and other safe countries for refugees. Furthermore, the organization and coordination of receptions in the context of family reunions as well as the psychological care of traumatized victims from abroad should be taken into focus.

Moreover, the fate of the more than a thousand abducted and abused girls was an issue of top priority for the delegation. Tolan, Hazim Mir Tashin and Pir Nasir plead for the saving of these tortured souls. Pennington’s promise that, “The USA will remain relentless in its fight against IS”, gave rise for hope. Telim Tolan visited the area of conflict on behalf of the Yezidi Leading Commision that represents all associations of Yezidis in Germany. He described this meeting as an important step into the right direction.

For information in English, please contact Songül Tolan: +49 1577 6821848 zentralrat@yeziden.de