Yezidi prince meets Pope, discusses protection of minorities
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Yezidi Prince Breen Tahseen met with Pope Francis at the Vatican to discuss the plight of the Yezidi community as well as the importance of protecting minorities in the Nineveh region after the defeat of ISIS.
Prince Breen delivered his message to the Pope on behalf of the chief of the Yezidi community Tahseen Bak, according to sources in the Yezidi community.
Tahseen reminded Pope Francis that there are many Yezidi women and children in ISIS captivity in Mosul who need to be rescued. He called for the formation of a committee that will enable local and international authorities to track down and rescue those people from ISIS.
The Yeizdi prince also called for the establishment of two self-governing administrations in the Nineveh Plains and the Shingal region, which he said should be supported and monitored by the international community. He also pointed out that these areas will need to be rebuilt following the widespread destruction caused by the ISIS war.
Tahseen voiced strong support for the efforts of the United Kingdom at the United Nations Security Council to refer ISIS crimes to the International Criminal Court and recognize atrocities by ISIS against the Yezidis as genocide. He stressed that regional governments in the Middle East need to respect the rights of minorities like the Yezidis and Christians.
Prince Breen delivered his message to the Pope on behalf of the chief of the Yezidi community Tahseen Bak, according to sources in the Yezidi community.
Tahseen reminded Pope Francis that there are many Yezidi women and children in ISIS captivity in Mosul who need to be rescued. He called for the formation of a committee that will enable local and international authorities to track down and rescue those people from ISIS.
The Yeizdi prince also called for the establishment of two self-governing administrations in the Nineveh Plains and the Shingal region, which he said should be supported and monitored by the international community. He also pointed out that these areas will need to be rebuilt following the widespread destruction caused by the ISIS war.
Tahseen voiced strong support for the efforts of the United Kingdom at the United Nations Security Council to refer ISIS crimes to the International Criminal Court and recognize atrocities by ISIS against the Yezidis as genocide. He stressed that regional governments in the Middle East need to respect the rights of minorities like the Yezidis and Christians.