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On October 4, the Deputy Chair of the NA Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs Rustam Bakoyan met with the representatives of the Shangal Region of Northern Iraq.

Welcoming the guests in the National Assembly, he highlighted the cooperation with all Yazidi communities of the world. The Committee Deputy Chair presented in detail the situation of the Yazidi community of Armenia and their problems.

“The Yazidis are full-fledged citizens of Armenia,” Rustam Bakoyan said and added that all conditions exist in Armenia for preserving the Yazidi identity.

He also emphasized the circumstance that by his initiative a law on Day of National Minorities was adopted: it is marked the first Sunday of October. On the MP’s initiative by the passed second law the Yazidis have an opportunity to have holidays for 4 days in a year and take part in the Yazidi holidays.

Rustam Bakoyan spoke about the inner-community problems, noted that the issues concerning the Yazidi community are in the centre of attention of the Government of Armenia.

“The Yazidis live in Armenia as the Armenians live,” the NA deputy mentioned.

Thanking Rustam Bakoyan for the warm reception, Azad Jundi stressed the necessity of cooperation between the Yazidis of Armenia and Iraq. He touched upon the state of the Yazidis living in the Northern Iraq. It was noted that the conditions of 600.000 Yazidi refugees are socially and politically extremely difficult.

“We wish that the voice of Shangal Yazidis will be audible in the whole world also through you,” Azad Jundi said.

According to him, it is a great honour to have a Yazidi deputy in the legislative power of Armenia, who voices the issues concerning the Yazidi community.

During the meeting inner-community numerous other issues also were discussed.