09/25/2017

Referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan (September 25)

Historical Day for Kurdistan – STP sends election observer (Press Release)

STP supports the Kurds in their quest for independence, Cologne 2014. Photo: STP

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) will be sending an election observer to help monitor the independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan – in the regional capital Erbil and in Dohuk. In the run-up to the referendum, the STP appealed to the German federal government, the European Union, the United States, and other Western countries to support the people of Iraqi Kurdistan in their efforts to establish an independent state. “It is a historic day for Kurdistan. After decades of persecution, oppression, expulsion, and genocide crimes, the Kurds will at last be able to exercise their right to self-determination,” explained Dr. Kamal Sido, the STP’s Middle East consultant, in Göttingen on Monday.

The human rights organization is especially pleased that the regional government of Kurdistan and representatives of the ethnic and religious minorities recently managed to find an agreement concerning the aspect of regional self-administration for the Yazidis, the Christians, the Assyrians/Chaldeans/Aramaeans, and other minority groups. Far-reaching promises were made to the representatives of the political opposition, so as to reactivate the parliament and to strengthen democracy.

“We expect the international community to recognize the result of the referendum, which is of historic significance for the Kurds, and to support Iraqi-Kurdistan in this important moment in time,” Sido stated. “The Western states must protect Iraqi Kurdistan against threats by the central government in Iraq and the governments of Iran and Turkey.” These countries have threatened to control Iraqi Kurdistan’s airspace as well as the national borders and oil transports.

The STP welcomes the fact that the regional government of Iraqi Kurdistan has announced to want to protect the approximately two million refugees living in the country – regardless of their ethnicity or religious belief. Last weekend, President Masud Barzani had appealed to the authorities and the people of Iraqi Kurdistan to treat the refugees “like their brothers and sisters”. “In this difficult situation, our human rights organization expects Germany to support the refugees and the civilian population of Iraqi Kurdistan,” stated Sido.

There are about six million people living in Iraqi Kurdistan – which, including the embattled areas, covers about 79,000 square kilometers – and at least two million of them are refugees.