LONE YEZIDI PARLIAMENTARIAN CRITICIZES KURDISH

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000736 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2016 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR KDEM IZ SUBJECT: LONE YEZIDI PARLIAMENTARIAN CRITICIZES KURDISH TREATMENT OF MINORITIES Classified By: Political Counselor Robert S. Ford for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) New Council of Representatives (CoR) member and Yezidi Movement for Progress and Movement President Amin Farhan al-Marwani told PolOffs that the Kurds "stand against" the Yezidis because the Yezidis refuse to adopt Kurdish identity and insist on keeping their own. He claimed most of the Yezidi areas (Bashiqa, Shekhan, and Sinjar) are currently under Kurdish control, particularly that of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). He claimed this control included all of the instruments of power (police, mayors, etc.). He even alleged that the Kurds tried to assassinate him. He claimed that no reconstruction was taking place in Yezidi areas, that there are no jobs for the people, and that Kurds put restriction on Yezidi travel to the KRG. He stated that it would be "bad" if minority areas in Ninewa and Kirkuk are formally placed under the KRG, citing the fact that Yezidis are not mentioned in the Kurdish Constitution (NOTE: which is still under negotiation). If this happened, he warned, there could be a civil war in Ninewa. ¶2. (C) Al-Marwani told PolOffs that the Yezidis are disregarded and complained that they are not invited to party leader meetings. He stated that he will be part of the minority bloc established by Shia Independent and Shabak CoR member Dr. Hanin al-Qaddo. (NOTE: In a separate meeting with PolOffs February 13, Dr. al-Qaddo said this group will allow the minorities within the CoR to speak with one voice. END NOTE). Al-Marwani said, if a new government forms without minority representation, it will not be accepted. ¶3. (C) Comment. Al-Marwani's description of Kurdish oppression against minority groups in Ninewa is not new to the Embassy and PRT/Mosul. Minority groups like the Yezidi continue to look to the U.S. to alleviate and improve their situation, particularly since they are aware of the close relationship between the Embassy and the Kurds. It is hard for them to reconcile the ideals of freedom, democracy, and progress with the difficulties of their daily life. However, it should be noted that strong divisions still exist within the Yezidi community, and many members indeed identify themselves as "Kurds." In Ninewa, for example, areas such as Ain Sifne in the north are considered "pro-Kurd" Yezidi centers, while Sinjar in the west is viewed as "anti-Kurd." Kurdish political parties, on the other hand, like to point out that they enjoyed the overwhelming majority of votes in heavily Yezidi Sinjar, by a two-thirds margin during the national election. At the same time Sinjar, among other areas in western and eastern Ninewah, was the center of widespread reports that the Kurds engaged in election intimidation, disenfranchisement, and fraud. End Comment. ¶4. (C) BIONOTE. Amin Farhan al-Marwani was born in 1975 in Shekhan (Ninewah Governorate) - making him one of the youngest members of the CoR. He was only able to complete three years of study at the College of Education at the University of Mosul. He is not married. KHALILZAD