Yazidis & Kurds Overwhelmingly Reject Barzani-backed “Emir”
Press Release: Yazidis and supporting Kurds have stood up in outrage and mass protests against the illegal attempt of the Barzani leadership of the Kurdistan government to unilaterally appoint and declare a claimed “Emir” (Chief Prince) of the independent Yazidis, considered part of Kurdish hijacking of Yazidi ethnic identity in violation of indigenous rights under international law.
The Barzani appointed self-proclaimed “Emir”, Hazem Tahsin Bek, son of the late Emir of the Tahsin family, was actually a member of the Kurdish Parliament, and was “named” as the Yazidi “leader” only by five members of his own “High Spiritual Council” led by the previous Baba Sheikh.
It has been widely known that the Tahsin family and their appointed Baba Sheikh have been controlled under coercion and threats by the Barzani faction of Kurdistan since 2014, even forcing the Baba Sheikh to publicly deny Yazidi indigenous ethnic identity and to renounce plans to reassert Yazidi sovereignty.
