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By Heman Mahmud:
The Kurds, like all other nations in the world, have their own traditions, ancient national feeling, political history and geographical borders.
The Kurdish nation has experienced many obstacles in its history and at every stage it has faced political and economic problems and conflict with the occupiers of Kurdistan. Nevertheless, to a certain extent, it has managed to protect its borders.
Because the Kurds did not have independent power structures within the group of countries in which they were located, they have suffered greatly under the governments of these countries: experiencing violence, deprivation of basic rights and even being banned from using their own language.
In eastern Kurdistan – in Iran – and in northern Kurdistan – which became Turkey and part of Syria – the pressure of the ruling powers on the Kurdish nation has been considerable. Kurds have been denied the right to express their own culture and ideas or become intellectually active and speak or write in their native language.
In southern Kurdistan – in Iraq – prior to the fall of Saddam’s regime the Kurds were allowed to read and write in their own language and they had some limited freedom with respect to cultural and intellectual activities. With the collapse and removal of the Baathists, the Kurds used the opportunity to create their own federal government alongside the federal central government. In managing their own affairs within this framework, they have to a certain extent been successful.
The situation of the Kurds in northern Kurdistan is also undergoing change. Due to its desire to join the European Union, Turkey has had to recognise the Kurdish problem and has decided to improve the situation of the Kurds.
It is also expected that the situation in the other parts of Kurdistan – namely Iran and Syria – will see changes. The extent of these changes is unknown and closely linked to the stance, approach and opinions of the G5+1 group of countries.
In particular, the talks these countries are having on the nuclear issue and human rights in Iran will have a considerable impact on how they see the Kurdish problem in the future.
It is clear that the Kurdish question is now part of a new power struggle.
Currently, the ‘problem of Islam’ has become a serious issue for Europe in general and for America, the UK and Israel in particular. It is possible that the Kurdish issue and the establishment of a Kurdish federal government in all parts of Kurdistan in the Middle East would bring more protection, security and lasting peace to Israel and the Gulf region.
Although the Kurds do not have independence, they have managed to protect their culture, nation and geographical borders and stand up for themselves.
While it is true that the Kurds have not been granted basic human rights as stipulated in international agreements and they have been threatened with genocide by the state authorities where they live, by virtue of their political struggle Kurds have been able to gain a small place for themselves in the international community.
The fall of Saddam and the establishment of the Kurdish Regional Government in southern Kurdistan created a new paradigm for the Kurds.
One factor is the Kurds making themselves known on the world stage; another is Iran’s nuclear weapon and the talks with the G5+1; and another is Turkey’s attempt to join the EU.
Provided the Kurds deal intelligently with this new context, they will be able to internationalise the Kurdish problem in the future.
With changes in the modality and leadership of the Kurdish people’s struggle, together with an emphasis on civil action alongside armed struggle inside Kurdistan and increasing diplomatic activity on the world stage, in the coming decades the Kurds will be able to achieve their goals.
