Please Sign the Petition for Yezidis in the Netherlands
In recent months, IARF has supported young Yezidis in the Netherlands in their efforts to oppose a recent change in Dutch asylum policy, under which it is now deemed safe for Yezidis and followers of some other minority religions to return to Iraq and resume their previous lives, whereas international organisations and experts say the opposite.
For members and readers resident in the Netherlands
Please read, sign and share the petition below, and show your moral support for the young Yezidis.
Sit-in Demonstration by Yezidis in The Hague Because of Recent Dutch Policy Change
Young Yezidis are holding a sit-in demonstration this month in front of The Hague Central train station to express their concerns about a recent change in Dutch policy. Under this new policy, the government now considers it generally safe for Yezidis and other religious minority groups to return to Iraq—either to the city of Sinjar and its surroundings, or to camps in the Kurdish Autonomous Region. As a result of this change, many requests for asylum by Yezidis have been rejected in the past 1.5 years.
Yezidis believe that since the genocide of 2014, they cannot safely live in Iraq due to continuing discrimination, hate speech from other groups, a lack of law and order, and widespread impunity. Recent developments in Iraq and Syria have only increased these concerns.
In Germany, Yezidis face similar problems. Please support the Yezidis by writing to your Member of Parliament, donating to Yezidi organizations, or encouraging them by passing by their sit-in demonstration in The Hague. IARF supports the Yezidis in the Netherlands.