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We, the organizations, independent media agencies, lawyers, artists and doctors in Iraqi Kurdistan Region whose names and signatures are presented below, declare our full solidarity with the suffering people of Syria. Therefore, we announce the launch of a campaign for human rights in Syria and a better future for the Syrian people. We believe that respecting, protecting and fulfilling the full range of human rights of all individuals in Syria is indispensable for the settlement of the conflict.
The Syrian regime committed crimes against humanity during its violent crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators. The scenes of torture, the use of live ammunition and bullets, burning houses and destroyed neighborhoods and towns are of extremely disturbing and irritating nature for us, for it is a vivid reminder of the heinous crimes committed against our Kurdish people by the Iraqi Baath regime. The same party that committed genocide against Kurds in particular and innocent Iraqis in general, had refused over the years to recognize Kurds in Syria as citizens and treated them as foreigners without any rights.
In parallel to the events in the region, the developments on March 13th, 2011 were marked by huge expectations towards a better future. Hopes for a free and democratic Syria appeared beneath the ashes of decades of oppression and dictatorship. Unfortunately, ignoring common sense and the objective developments in the region, the regime answered with fire and iron and responded violently to the peaceful demonstrators who demanded not more than freedom and human rights. So far, 1500 people were killed and tens of thousands have been injured, displaced and disappeared.
If these developments in Syria are crucial and must be seen as a far-reaching change in history, this goes all the more for the Kurds in the country. The struggle for democracy, freedom and human rights is also a struggle for the recognition of the Kurds and their rights. Kurds want to live as equal citizens side by side with their Arab co-citizens in mutual respect and partnership.
We think it is a disgrace to keep silent about the atrocities committed by the dictatorship in Syria. We call on the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to show decisive and unequivocal support to the fight of the Syrian people for freedom and human rights. We regard this as a moral obligation to our friends in Syria. We hope that the international community increases its efforts to end mass murder and crimes against humanity committed by the Syrian regime.
To join us in this campaign, please email your name and telephone number to this account: azadibosirya@yahoo.com
First Signatories:
1 FCSO
2 WADI
3 CSI
4 DHRD
5 KIE
6 WOLA
7 YADC
8 CHAK
9 Frya Children Organization
10 New Voice Radio in Halabja
11 Women Center in Halabja
12 Bakhtyar Abdulla
13 Dr. Goran Abdulla
14 Shwan Raoof
15 Dana Jamil
16 Karzan Abdul-Fazil-Lawyer
17 Pari Ahmed-Lawyer
Translation by Kurdish Aspect
This call was published in Kurdish in Awene and Hawlati newspapers and other media in Iraqi Kurdistan.
