Shengal Democratic Autonomous Assembly Co-chair Rahime Hico spoke to ANF on the declaration of the Shengal Democratic Autonomous Assembly during the congress Êzidîs held on May 30-31 and said that the Êzidî people did a first in their history. Shengal Democratic Autonomous Assembly Co-chair Rahime Hico stated that decisions affecting the Êzidî people were made by others until now, and added: “Now the Êzidî people own the decisions, and have reached a level where they can govern themselves.”

Hico stated that there are 100 members in the Assembly and two Co-chairs, and continued: “Êzidîs governing themselves in a democratic and autonomous system is a first in Êzidî history. For thousands of years, the Êzidî people were ruled by others. But now the Êzidî people own the decisions, and they have reached a level where they can govern themselves. The Êzidî people no longer need others to govern them. Êzidîs can govern themselves and defend themselves.”

“DOORS OF THE ASSEMBLY OPEN FOR ALL”

Hico said the Êzidî people faced a great genocide but they started organizing by building up their own institutions: “On August 3, 2014, the Êzidî people faced a great massacre. The worst affected were the women. Because there was no defense force, the Êzidî women who experienced this organized YJŞ and TAJÊ as the organizing body to answer the attacks.”

Hico stressed that the Shengal Democratic Autonomous Assembly is not affiliated with any party or other institution and said everybody has the right to be in the assembly. She continued: “All moral and dignified persons can take part in this assembly. Whatever party they may be a member of, anybody who wants to work for their people can work under our assembly and our door is always open for everybody.”

CALL TO EMBRACE THE ASSEMBLY

Shengal Democratic Autonomous Assembly Co-chair Rahime Hico called on the Êzidî people by saying, “Democratic Autonomy is a revolution in itself,” and added the following: “Throughout history, the Êzidîs have been ruled by others, and now they are organizing their own life with their own will and strength. I am calling on all Êzidîs to embrace and protect the newly founded assembly. Because now we have an organization and a military structure. To avoid new genocides, we need alliances and support now more than ever.”