Iraqi elections: Yazidi representative wins seat on Nineveh provincial council
Qasim Keşko, a candidate from the Yazidi Freedom and Democracy Party (PADÊ), has successfully earned a seat on the provincial council of Nineveh (Ninova), based in Mosul, following elections held in Iraq on 18 December. This development marks a significant achievement for the PADÊ and its allies within the Ninova Peoples Alliance, which includes the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
Sinjar (Shengal), the ancestral home of the Yazidi community, is in Nineveh governorate. The PADÊ had put forward four candidates for these elections, and Qasim Keşko was among the victorious candidates.
The backdrop to the current political dynamics in the Nineveh region, particularly pertaining to the Yazidi community, is deeply intertwined with several key historical and political events. A pivotal event was the Yazidi genocide by ISIS in 2014, a tragic event where thousands of Yazidis were killed, and many more were displaced, kidnapped or enslaved. This brutal assault on the Yazidi community drew international condemnation and highlighted their vulnerability in the region, leading several countries to recognise it as genocide.
In response to these events and the ongoing threats, there has been a strong push among the Yazidi community and their supporters for greater autonomy. This desire for self-governance is rooted in the need for self-protection and the preservation of their cultural and religious identity, especially in the wake of the genocide.
A significant development in this context was the 2020 Sinjar Agreement, signed between the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan regional government. This agreement aimed to establish new administrative and security arrangements for Sinjar. However, it was met with criticism from the Yazidi community and their advocates. They argued that the agreement was made without adequate representation or consideration of the interests and needs of the Yazidi people. Critics also contend that the agreement does not sufficiently address the Yazidis’ demand for autonomy and self-governance, and that on the contrary, it may compromise their ability to defend themselves, especially considering ongoing threats in the region.
Tags: #yazidisinfo #newsyaidis #aboutyazidis
Iraqi elections: Yazidi representative wins seat on Nineveh provincial council
Qasim Keşko, a candidate from the Yazidi Freedom and Democracy Party (PADÊ), has successfully earned a seat on the provincial council of Nineveh (Ninova), based in Mosul, following elections held in Iraq on 18 December. This development marks a significant achievement for the PADÊ and its allies within the Ninova Peoples Alliance, which includes the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
Sinjar (Shengal), the ancestral home of the Yazidi community, is in Nineveh governorate. The PADÊ had put forward four candidates for these elections, and Qasim Keşko was among the victorious candidates.
The backdrop to the current political dynamics in the Nineveh region, particularly pertaining to the Yazidi community, is deeply intertwined with several key historical and political events. A pivotal event was the Yazidi genocide by ISIS in 2014, a tragic event where thousands of Yazidis were killed, and many more were displaced, kidnapped or enslaved. This brutal assault on the Yazidi community drew international condemnation and highlighted their vulnerability in the region, leading several countries to recognise it as genocide.
In response to these events and the ongoing threats, there has been a strong push among the Yazidi community and their supporters for greater autonomy. This desire for self-governance is rooted in the need for self-protection and the preservation of their cultural and religious identity, especially in the wake of the genocide.
A significant development in this context was the 2020 Sinjar Agreement, signed between the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan regional government. This agreement aimed to establish new administrative and security arrangements for Sinjar. However, it was met with criticism from the Yazidi community and their advocates. They argued that the agreement was made without adequate representation or consideration of the interests and needs of the Yazidi people. Critics also contend that the agreement does not sufficiently address the Yazidis’ demand for autonomy and self-governance, and that on the contrary, it may compromise their ability to defend themselves, especially considering ongoing threats in the region.
Tags: #yazidisinfo #newsyaidis #aboutyazidis
