Yazidi party PADÊ protests dissolution by Iraqi judicial council

Yazidi party PADÊ protests dissolution by Iraqi supreme judicial council — Sulaiman Haji, a member of the Politburo of the Yazidi Freedom and Democracy Party (PADÊ) and representative for the Sulaimani region, speaks at a press conference at the party headquarters in the Sinun district of Sinjar (Shingal), northwest Iraq, on August 7, 2024. Photo: Screengrab/Roj News video/iKurd.net

SINJAR, Northwest Iraq,— The Yazidi Freedom and Democracy Party (PADÊ) has voiced strong opposition to the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council’s recent decision to dissolve the party for alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party PKK, Roj News reported.

PADÊ officials argue that their organization was established legally and are calling for a review of the ruling.

The Supreme Judicial Council also ordered the dissolution of two other political entities: the Tavgari Azadi ya Civaka Kurdistanê (Kurdistan Freedom Movement) and the Democratic Struggle Front Party.

In response to this announcement, PADÊ held a press conference at their headquarters in the Sinun district of Sinjar (Shingal) in northwest Iraq, where they urged a reconsideration of the judicial decision.

Sulaiman Haji, a member of PADÊ’s Politburo and representative for the Sulaimani region, emphasized the legality of their party’s establishment.

“We believe that the Judicial Council’s decision should be re-evaluated,” he stated.

“Our party was founded in 2017 under the Iraqi Political Parties Law, specifically in accordance with Article 40. We have participated in three electoral cycles without facing any legal accusations, and our leaders have always been chosen by the people.”

Haji also suggested that the timing of the decision may be politically motivated, linking it to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit to Baghdad.

“While we respect the judiciary’s authority, we suspect that our party and our supporters have been misrepresented. The ruling came shortly after Erdogan’s arrival,” he said.

Notably, the decision to dissolve PADÊ coincided with the tenth anniversary of the Islamic State ISIS genocidal attacks on the Yazidis in Shingal on August 3, 2014.

Haji expressed outrage at the timing, questioning, “How can such a decision be made on a day that marks our people’s suffering? It is deeply disrespectful to our community.”

PADÊ has called for a thorough investigation prior to any legal judgments.

Haji pointed out, “Why was no investigation conducted before this ruling? On what grounds was our party’s closure decided? We have not engaged in any illegal activities or received financial support from the state; our operations are funded solely through the support of our community abroad.”

Haji reaffirmed the party’s commitment to overturning the ruling, stating, “We will submit all necessary evidence to the court to demonstrate our independence and clarify that we pose no threat to the nation. It is crucial that the law is applied fairly to all.”

Also the Kurdistan Society’s Freedom Movement (Tavgari Azadi) firmly rejected claims of any association with the PKK, condemning Baghdad’s decision to dissolve the party over alleged PKK ties as a political stratagem.

The PKK began its armed struggle against the Turkish state in 1984, seeking greater autonomy for Kurds in Turkish Kurdistan. Despite the Kurdish minority constituting over 22.5 million of Turkey’s 84 million population, the Turkish government still does not officially recognize their constitutional existence. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 40,000 Turkish soldiers and Kurdish guerrillas.

The PKK primarily targets Turkish military and government security installations while making efforts to avoid civilian casualties.

A significant Kurdish community, both within Turkey and globally, openly supports the PKK.

(With files from Firat Newds Agency ANF)