Yezidis from Iraq seeking refuge in Armenia (Source: Public Radio of Armenia)
YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia)—The Armenian office of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, in cooperation with the Public Journalism Club and the Media Center, will hold a discussion on the position of Iraqi Yezidi refugees in Armenia on September 30, 2015.
Three Yezidi families from Iraq have obtained refugee status in Armenia so far, but community representatives are expecting the government to do more.
The Sinjar Yezidi National Union has previously asked the Armenian foreign ministry to work with its Georgian counterpart to facilitate travel from Turkey. The ministry has said it will be a long process since the National Security Service will need to check each individual separately.
Yezidis are the largest ethnic minority in Armenia. According to a 2011 census, there were more than 35,000 Yezidis in Armenia, accounting for about 1% of the population. Many Yezidis began settling in Armenia during the Russian-Turkish wars of the 19th century, and more fled the Ottoman Empire alongside Armenians during the massacres of 1915.
Source: Asbarez
Link: Yezidis from Iraq Seeking Refuge in Armenia