You may wonder how is the July 14th 2011 declaration of autonomy by Kurds in Eastern Turkey relevant to Cyprus. The division we have in Cyprus today started in the 60s by a process known as tCypriots' self-segregation. The question is whether the Kurdish move will lead to a federation model to be discussed as a solution to this long-standing problem of Turkey with its 25% ethnic minority. If so, should the principles applied be the same as in Cyprus? If not, why are we then discussing federation as a solution with our minority when Turkey explores solutions within the confines of a unitary state?
The Kurds realized the rights are not given but taken. To fight oppression and denial of their existence and rights by the government in Ankara, some Kurds in North Kurdistan turned to diplomacy and some to armed resistance. Their plea for justice fell on deaf ears and neither method brought any immediate results. However, persistence and continuation of both methods led to an important recent development, the idea of democratic autonomy.
Finally 850 delegates from North Kurdistan declared democratic autonomy in Amed (Diarbakir), the Capital of North Kurdistan, on July 14, 2011 and invited the Kurds to call themselves democratically autonomous Kurdistan citizens.
We at the Kurdish National Congress of North America congratulate the people of North Kurdistan for this courageous decision. As a democratic, secular, and peaceful organization, our hope for all parts of Kurdistan is freedom, independence, and peaceful coexistence with other ethnic groups. While independence is our ultimate goal, we support democratic autonomy as an evolutionary and peaceful step in the right direction.
We are confident the future of all ethnic groups in the region is an advanced union where the idea of oppression and dominance will be substituted with cooperation and equality similar to European Union.
Board of Directors
Kurdish National Congress of North America
KNC-NA
18/07/2011
