Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan today congratulated Armenia's Yazidi community  on Yazidi New Year’s Day.

Tatoyan issued the following statement.

"I wish that the New Year brings peace and new success to the families of our Yazidi relatives. Your history and national dignity deserve exceptional appreciation.

"Your contribution to the development and strengthening of our common homeland is irreplaceable. The conditions for preserving and developing your national traditions, religion, language and culture in the Republic of Armenia are guaranteed."

(Yazidi New Year commemorates the time when god sent Tawus Melek, his chief angel, to turn the Earth from liquid to solid. The Yazidis, who claim to be the first people created in the Garden of Eden, believe the angel manifested itself as a peacock and spread its brilliant feathers to color the new Earth.)