Socialist International supports Kurdish self-determination

by Roni Alasor / Lorin Sarkisian

Brussels, 2 July 2016 - Middle East Diplomatic (MED) – The Council of the Socialist International convened at the United Nations in Geneva on 1-2 July 2016. Its discussions focused on three main themes: “Strengthening the political and humanitarian response to current international crises: Defending and securing democracy: supporting the struggle for rights and freedoms where they are under threat”.

Many Kurdish representatives from different social democrat – socialist parties particiaped and contributed in the meeting: Kurdish Nazmi Gur, HDP, Sadi Pire, PUK, Hemin Hawrami, KDP, Saleh Mohamed and Iebrahem Muslem, PYD – Rojava, Delegates of the KDP of Iran, Delegates of the KDP of Iran, Baban Eliassi, PDKI, Iran, Abdalhamid Darwesh, Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party, KDPP, with Aziz Othman of the Azzadi Part, Aziz Othman, Azzadi Party, Abdalhamid Darwesh, Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party, KDPP.

During the meeting, the SI Council also discussed the conflicts in the Middle East and peaceful resolution of the Kurdish case in Rojava (Syria), Eastern Kurdistan (Iran) and Northern Kurdistan (Turkey). After the meeting, the Socialist International (SI) issued a declaration on the Kurds and Kurdish Region as support the Kurdish self-determination in Kurdistan Region (Iraq).

In a declaration issued by IS during an annual meeting in Geneva, the organisation regrouping 153 worldwide left democratic and progressive parties, welcomes the right to self-determination through mutual understanding for a new formula between the KRG [Kurdistan Regional Government] and the Iraqi government.

SI also supports a democratic and peaceful resolution of the Kurdish case in Rojava (Syria), Eastern Kurdistan (Iran) and Northern Kurdistan (Turkey). The council of the SI notes that "the Middle East is going through a critical juncture as sectarianism, national chauvinism, terrorism, lack of good governance and bad economic conditions that have engulfed the region with instability. For a better Middle East, the SI "encourages all sides to exercise restraint, avoid violence and resort to politics for conflict resolution."

SI also notes the important role of KRG in fighting terrorism and in helping Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by providing a safe and hospitable environment

The draft declaration on the Kurdish issue was released at a meeting of the Socialist International, which began on July 1 at the United Nations in Geneva.

Full text of declaration on the Kurdish Region by the Council of the Socialist International United Nations, Geneva, 1-2 July 2016:

The Council of the Socialist International recognises that the Middle East is going through a critical juncture. Sectarianism, national chauvinism, terrorism, lack of good governance and bad economic conditions have engulfed the region with instability.

The SI recognises the Kurdish issue in the region and the positive role played by Kurdish Forces in general and Peshmerga forces in particular, in fighting terrorism and providing a safe and hospitable environment for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). In Iraq, the role of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is crucial in defeating Daesh. We recognise the role and efforts by the KRG to deal with a range of problems, with courage and sincerity. Old paradigms without changes in methods and mentality will reproduce a vicious cycle.

The Kurdish aspirations for peace, dialogue and democratic solutions within Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey are well received and supported by the SI, which supports their democratic aspirations. The SI Council: Encourages all sides to exercise restraint, avoid violence and resort to politics for conflict resolution. Welcomes the right to self-determination through mutual understanding for a new formula between the KRG and the Iraqi government.

Requests the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions on Syria, in particular Resolution 2254(2015). Recognises all efforts to establish a political framework in Syria that guarantees federalism, democracy, democratic federalism, decentralisation, or any other form of governance decided upon by the Syrian people. SI recognizes the efforts of all forces who fight Daesh in Syria, including the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF-YPG/J, and other Syrian Kurds) in coordination with international alliances. Finally, we call upon all international parties and the UN to help refugees and to create the necessary atmosphere to remove the causes of migration and help them return to their countries.

http://www.socialistinternational.org/images/dynamicImages/files/KurdishRegion_EN.pdf