Intellectuals warn about ‘the KRG’s intentions’

By Mufid Abdulla:

Three prominent Kurdish writers – Bhaktiar Ali, Marwan Burhan Qaniq and Aras Fatah – have condemned the KRG’s two ruling parties, alleging a tendency to use aspects of fascism, Stalinism and Kemalism against their own people. Their article appeared recently in local Kurdish newspapers, entitled: ‘Intellectuals between the fascist machine of the government and muted opposition’.

“It is a simple truth to say that, in the world of dictatorship, war and propaganda go in parallel”, the article begins. “The two ruling parties’ propaganda machine is lying and defaming independent intellectuals … They have learned a lot from the fascists, Stalinists and Kemalists to find pretexts to brutalise intellectuals and writers”.

The authors also criticise the opposition for engaging in talk with the ruling parties while they are intimidating independent writers and intellectuals.

The article is a response to a smear campaign by the PUK media against prominent Kurdish writers and in particular the icon of democratic movement, Rebin Hardi, who had accused the ruling parties in Sulaymani of behaving like the old Ba’athists. His comment infuriated the PUK party apparatus. Rebin Hardi was one of the leaders of the Azadi Square protests and he was jailed and beaten without reason, or any charge from the high court, purely because of his staunch criticism of the ruling parties.

South of Kurdistan has entered a new epoch of change from which no city is immune. The PUK is becoming dysfunctional and facing disbelief from its followers. In my opinion, the attacks on intellectuals and independent writers are ‘normal’ acts by the Stalinist and fascist elements operating in Kurdistan.

We have often heard it claimed that, “the opposition is refusing to negotiate” and that this gives the ruling parties no other choice than to use the methods of civil war.  For this reason I believe it is vital to support the negotiation process. This is a make-or-break summer for the opposition and the ruling parties.  However, I also believe the talks should be monitored by an independent third party (perhaps from the UN or the EU) so that there is independent corroboration of the real reasons for any breakdown in the talks.

Our three colleagues and fellow writers should appreciate that the opposition is still in a vulnerable position. I ask them, who saved the Gorran HQ from a bloodbath on 17 February? Even though the balance of power has shifted due to the prolonged protests, the situation remains precarious. The threat of military rule remains.

Intellectuals, I ask you to consider, do you think Talabani and Barzani will relinquish power voluntarily? These autocrats have changed the rules for demonstrations and changed the rules for journalism – as we have seen in Hawler with the case of Ahmad Mira, the Lvin Chief Editor. Elements of these parties presided over electoral fraud last time. Is there any doubt that these elements will try to fix the elections in two years’ time? I appeal to my colleagues, Aras, Mariwan and Bhktiar to read more about the methods of dictators. Please check the story of the opposition leader in Belarus who has been jailed by an elected dictator.

It is too early to condemn the opposition, even though they are insufficiently organised and united. Yes, we have a disorganised opposition – but what we can do?

We must all advocate negotiation – and the more detailed and technical the negotiations, the better. But any successful negotiation depends on the politicians involved. I personally believe that Kurdistan’s autocrats do not truly intend to change our society and that real change must eventually come from the people through peaceful revolution.