Vandalism in Yolveren (Çinera) Village: A typical example of the hate directed against the Ezidis

Recently an article about the Yolveren village, 10 km from Batman, was published by a Turkish news agency. It tells the story of how this Ezidi village was one of the happiest villages in the region and how the Ezidi people showed kindness and solidarity towards the authoritarians of the state. However, many have now let the village in line of the recent genocide and the unfortunate developments of the region. 

Notably, just five years ago, it was reported that Ezidi tombs were being destroyed and vandalized. The tombs were reportedly specifically targeted because they were the tombs of Ezidi girls. The vandalizers have not only destroyed the tombs, but they have also thrown out the resting bones, showing no respect to the deceased people and their and their families. Although the deputy of Batman had made the Assembly aware of the situation, the attacks have continued, and no legal actions have been taken. 

This is yet another example of how the Ezidi people are targeted due to unexplained and illogical hatred felt by perpetrators. Ezidis who have been massacred and forced to migrate throughout history due to their faith, culture, and distinct ethnicity, are still being target in the region and are not safe. Since the actions from the Armenian Genocide, during which Ezidis also were massacred, have been denied and “forgotten”, it is no surprise that even after a century Ezidis are subjected to hate and harm. The question is, what would the Turkish authoritarians have done of it was the opposite situation; Ezidis vandalising the tombs of Kurds or Turks? There would have been a huge scandal and a much bigger reaction would have been shown to the vandalisers. But in this case, who cares that some Ezidi tombs are being destroyed and dishonoured?