VIDEO: Demonstrators gather near White House to mark Ezidi genocide

Several people gathered in front of the White House on Aug. 3, 2016, to mark the second anniversary of the genocide committed by the Islamic State (IS) against the Yezidi (Ezidi) people.
kurdistan24.net

WASHINGTON, United States (Kurdistan24) – Several people gathered in front of the White House on Aug. 3, 2016, to mark the second anniversary of the genocide committed by the Islamic State (IS) against the Yezidi (Ezidi) people.

The candlelight vigil was organized by the Free Yezidi Foundation in Washington, DC to honor those killed and still under IS captivity.

 

One of the keynote speakers at the event was Naomi Kikoler, the Deputy Director of the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide, who spoke to Kurdistan24 about the tragedy.

“It’s a very somber evening, we shouldn’t have to be here,” Kikoler stated.

“70 years ago we committed to never again, never allowing genocide [to be] committed anywhere in the world, and unfortunately [IS] was able to commit genocide,” she added.

The Deputy Director pointed to the 3,200 Ezidis still held captive by IS and explained the purpose of the event.

“We’re gathered both to mark the genocide and draw attention to the fact that the genocide is still happening,” Kikoler stated.

 

Stephen J. Rapp, the former US Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues, also spoke during the demonstration.

He told Kurdistan24 that the United Nations Security Council needs to establish an investigative commission to build evidence and bring justice for the Ezidis.

“Those who committed these crimes need to be held to account, the best way to do that would be to establish an international commission and a security council,” Rapp said

“Of course, we want to destroy [IS]…but it’s important also to recognize this is not just a military thing, this is an issue of justice,” he concluded.

The event was meant to raise humanitarian assistance to those Ezidis still in captivity to provide immediate medical and psychological support when they are freed.

 

 

(Kurdistan24 team in Washington, DC conducted the interviews)