Iraqi Kurdistan people cast their vote for the first time for their independence on September 25, 3017. This is a historic vote for the Kurdish people and their land. Iraqi Kurds have voiced and voted overwhelmingly in favor of declaring independence from Iraq. It is a historic vote and also controversial that could change the political landscape in the Middle East.
Almost 93% of those who took part in the referendum support for Kurdistan independence from Iraq. Voters turn out had been very high, with about 72% of the 8.4 million population taking part in the referendum. The referendum peacefully ended without any major accident. Many thousands of Kurds including women, children and older people rejoiced this vote. This vote will someday lead the Kurds for independence. As a minority ethnic group in Myanmar, I am really thankful to this historical vote. I rejoiced with the Kurdish people for their desire and wills for independence from Iraq.
In fact, I predicted that Iraq will be split in three parts Anbar Province, Kurdistan and Iraq proper if USA and UK invaded Iraq in 2003. I totally opposed the Iraq invasion by Pre. George W. Bush. Now it became a reality that Iraq is split itself. USA and UK are the most responsible countries in the world for dividing Iraq into two right now because of their invasion in 2003. But splitting Iraq is good for Kurdistan people who lost their home land and freedom since the break up of Ottoman Empire one century ago. Kurdistan independence referendum vote is a historic vote and is a key to determine their fate. The vote on September 25 is making a decision for the Kurdistan people and their home land.
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| Ref. www.bbc.com |
The writer is from an ethnic minority in Myanmar. I knew the suffering of ethnic minority not only in Myanmar but also in other countries around the world. I have been reading and studying a lot about the history of the Middle East such as the founding of Israel, the founding of Syria and Iraq and Turkey and how the Kurdish People, the world largest ethnic minority group, lost they country, culture, ethnic identity and how they suffered under the rules of Iraqi, Syrian and Turkey regimes for century. Every educated people in the world knew the long-suffering of the Kurdish people in Turkey, Iraq and Syria. We all know about the history of the suffering people of Kurdish.
Especially the Kurdish people in Iraq have suffered long brutal treatments under the Iraqi rulers for more than 100 years. Saddam Hussein abused them and tried to wipe out the Kurdish people from the their land by all means using helicopters, fighters jets, bombers, artillery shelling and killing thousands in wars against the Kurds. Even Halabja Massacre was killing agaist the Kurds by chemical agents by Saddam Hussein's regime. Between 3,000 to 5,000 people were killed and about 10,000 were injured on March 16, 1988. Those killed were mostly innocent civilians and most of them women and children and elderly people. That is the most painful chemical attack in the 20th century.
In short, the Kurdish people have been suffering a lot. They were betrayed by the Western countries including Britain, French and US. They have been attacked and bombed by Turkey's regimes for years. They have been brutally attacked, bombed, tortured, imprisoned and gassed by Saddam Hussein's regimes. They have been attacked and killed by the evil ISIS (jihadists) both Shiite and Sunni from Iraq and neighboring Arab countries.
Saddam Hussein violently crashed the uprising of the Kurdish in 1991 during the time of Pre. George Bush. He abandoned and betrayed the Kurds under Saddam Hussein's regime. Saddam Hussein used tanks and helicopters to onslaught the Kurdish fighters and civilians. Iraq army victimized many Kurds like killing rats and animals including children and women. Dominic Green wrote those killing under the American pilot's watch:
American pilots held their fire as they observed Saddam's helicopters attacking Kurish fighters and civilians.The whole world know that many thousands of Kurd died for their homeland during Saddam Hussein's regime. Nobody helped and rescued them from the dangers of Saddam Hussien. He onslaught many thousands of Kurdish people. He killed them like rats. UN did not protect them. Neither European Union nor NATO protect them. No Western countries including USA, Britain and French stood up against Saddam Hussien to protect the Kurds in that time. Why should Kurdish people listen the voices of US or EU or UN or NATO in this time who never protected them from the onslaught of Turkey regimes and Iraq regimes?
The Kurdish people victimized politically, physically, emotionally, psychologically, mentally and economically. They endured long sufferings from the wrath of Iraqi army for many decades. Why the Iraqi government abused the Kurds? Why they violated their rights as a human being? Whey the Kurds wered tortured and killed by the Iraqi armies? Were they their own citizens? The Kurdish people should never forget those stories.
When the ISIS invaded their homeland they stood firmly against the evil ISIS army. No Iraqi government protect the Kurds. Why? Are they their own fellows? Are the Kurds their country's citizens? Why didn't the Iraqi help them by weapons, money, human resources from the dangers ofr the ISIS? It is clear enough that Iraqi government had no concern for the safety and survival of the the Kurdish people at all. Why?
The answer is clear. The Iraqi people didn't like the Kurds. So, why should the Kurds stay with the Iraqi people? Why should KRG stayed with Iraq? Why should Kurdistan be part of Iraq who always tried to destroy the people and the land of Kurdish people?
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| The capital of Kurdistan "Erbil" |
The Kurdish people should think and ask for themselves that would the Iraqi government say "Yes" for Kurdish independence? Would the Iraqi government thump for the Kurdish independence referendum? It is clear that Iraq will not thump or say "Yes" to the Kurdish independence movement until the end of the world. So, should the Kurdish people wait until the Iraqi say "Yes" for their independence?
Freedom, democracy and independence is in the hands of Kurdish people in Iraq. No country other than Iraq itself should involve in the internal affair of Kurdistan region in Iraq. Neither Iran nor Turkey nor Syria has no legitimate authority over Iraq internal affair at all. Iran said they would close their border upon the Kurdistan independence referendum. That is fine. That is up to them. That is their border but Iran has no right at all to interfere in the internal affair of Kurdistan people and their land. Turkey has no right at all.
Nouri al-Maliki, the former Prime Minister and the Vice President of Iraq that "He will not allow the establishment of "another Israel" north of the country through a referendum on the Kurdistan Region's independence from Iraq" in Iraqinews.com. His position is clear. It is Iraqi government's policy and position that Iraq did not allow Kurdish people to decide their future and fate. Iraqi government will use constitution as a weapon not to allow the Kurdish people decide their wills and rights. So, how long the Kurdish will loose their God's given rights to Iraqi regimes? Now the time is come for the Kurdish to decide their own future and write their history.
Kurdistan army Peshmerger and their people need to stand up together for their freedom for the people and their land. They should not be bothered by the the Iran and Iraqi tactics of "fear and intimidation" which is not a working tactic for any people on earth for many thousand of years who want freedom and self determination. The world history proved it. Fear is the most dangerous thing for Kurdistan people right now. Iraq is trying to intimidate the Kurdish people so that they can dominate and manipulate the Kurdish people and their land. Kurdish people need to know Iraqi tactics of divide and rule too. It is the most dangerous political idea for the Kurdish people.
The clear thing is that Iraqi government and army will threaten or make use scare and fear tactics among the Kurdish people to divide them peace by peace and rule them later easily. Burmese government uses this tactics for its own ethnic minority groups and which destroyed the unity among the many ethnic groups. Kurdish leaders must understand all the pressures and cheating tactics of Iraq and stand up against those dangerous idea. All Kurdish people need to unite against Iraq.
The most important things for the Kurdish people are to defend their God's given rights; they need to protect and defend their people and mother's land and need to safe guard their ethnic identity such as their religion, culture, custom, language, music and arts; they need to protect their natural resouces and need to write their own history now and forever until the end of the world. They should not allow any other nations on earth to write the history of their land and people.
Kurdistan people must understand that no British colonies were allow to get independence from the British constitution but the colonies fought for their own freedom to get independence against the British empire. Constitutions of Iraq should not be used as a tool or weapon to blog the right or wills of the Kurdish people since the constitutions are most of the time drafted by the people who are the powerful and the rulers. Kurdistan people must understand that they will never be free from Iraq if they follow the Iraqi constitutions of 2005 or before.
Therefore, the Kurdish people must fight and earn their freedom and decide their future and fate. It is their original and given right and they should take that right sooner than later. Today is the best day for them. This time is the golden chance for them to get independence. Unless they will loose their freedom forever. It is time to defend their forefather's land with blood and sweat.
The whole worlds also need to remember and understand the position of NATO and EU countries when Kosovo declared independence. The NATO and EU supported Kosovo independence. The UNO also needs to understand that clear recent history. When Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, many of EU countries and NATO countries recognized Kosovo Independence declaration in February 17, 2008.
According to the Wikepedia the whole world know that the following countries already recognized Kosovo independence even though the government of Serbia rejected it vehemently:
As of 27, 2017, the Republic of Kosovo has received 115 diplomatic recognitions as an independent state. Notably, 111 countries out of 193 (57.5%) of the United Nations member states, 23 out of 28 (82%) of European Union (EU) member states, 25 out of 29 (86%) of NATO member states, and 36 out of 57 (63%) Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states have recognised Kosovo. Serbia does not recognise it as a sovereign state, but has begun to normalize relations with the Government of Kosovo in accordance with Brussels Agreement.
Why should not EU and NATO countries recognize Kurdistan Independence referendum? Even NATO bombed Serbia to protect Kosovo. Why should not NATO bomb the Iraq or Iran or Turkey to protect Kurdistan people who were the most persecuted ethnic group in the world for many decades? NATO member countries and EU countries are too bias in the world's politics. Even UN is too bias a lot of times. If many of the UN member state recognizes they should also recognize the Kurdish independence referendum which is their moral obligation.
Regarding the Kosovo declaration of independence in 2008, the United Nations General Assembly requested the advisory opinion to the International Court of Justice. It was the first case to be brought before the International Court of Justice regarding the declaration of independence by one region or province in a country. The court declared that "the adoption of the declaration of independence of the 17 February 2008 did not violate general international law because international law contains 'no prohibition on declaration of independence.'The above declaration was delivered on 22 July 2010 by the vote of 10 to 4.
Therefore, "the Kurdistan declaration of independence vote on 25 September 2017 does not violate international law and the Kurds should have absolute rights to declare independence from Iraq." This is the internal issue between Baghdad and Erbil. Turkey or Iran or Syria should not interfere in the affairs of Kurdistan independence referendum militarily because that is not their affairs.
So, the whole worlds are looking right now. What would the NATO do when Kurdish people vote their independence referendum in September 25? What would EU countries do on that day and beyond? If they don't support the Kurdistan independence referendum, it will mean NATO and EU countries are the most bias countries in the world. Time will tell whether they are bias or not or whether they stand up for justice for all!
EU warned that the Iraqi's Kurdistan's planned referendum on independence from Iraq will be "counterproductive," joining world powers opposing the disputed poll.According to the above statement, it is clear that the position of EU is too bias now comparison to Kosovo independence declaration in 2008. So, the Kurds should not trust the EU right now. Israel is the only country that supports the Kurdish independence referendum because they never forgets their history of 2000 years "a nation without a country." Kurdish people are a nation without their own country. Now they need to create their nation on their forefathers' land which they lost to Iraq over one hundred years ago. This is the right time and the best time for them. This may be the only chance Kurdish people have the best opportunity to create their own nation and their own country.
Iraqi government also needs to realize and recognize the truth about the Kurdish history and they cause and they need to grant independence peacefully which will dignify their country. They should grant the right of self determination to the Kurdish people after 100 years of their control. The Iraqi should not choose fighting and violence against the Kurds instead it is better to give them independence peacefully.
If the Iraqi government does not give independence to Kurdistan people peacefully, the struggles of Kurdish people will go one as long as the Kurdish people live until they get their independence in the end. Independence is a natural thing. Independence is not given but taken by the people. Iraq will never give independence to Kurdish people. Therefore, the Kurdish people must take it from Iraq and secure their land and people.
The Iraqi should realize the reality in history that Roman Empire give independence to many countries. The British governments, the most powerful empire in the world history, granted independence to many of their colonies because they were no longer capable of controlling and ruling their colonies. Iraq is not strong like Roman Empire or British Empire. The clear thing is that Iraqi government will grant the independence to Kurdish people one day sooner or later. It is better to grant independence to Kurdish people sooner than later for the sake of their future relationship.
If the Kurdish people choose to get independence from Iraq the whole world needs to support them. NATO countries need to support them. EU countries need to support them. The United States and Russia need to support them. Most of the UNO member countries except Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran need to support them. All Arab countries except Syria and Turkey need to support them.
It is important for the Kuridish people they should determine their future and choose their fate. The Kurds should not listen or pay attention to EU or NATO or USA who oppose against the vote for independence referendum. This is their right not the right of EU or NATO or any western countries. The Kurdish people need to ignore the advises of those Western countries and go on for their future.
After all, all minorities around the world who are struggling for their existence and freedom, need to support and stand firmly with the Kurdish people for their independence movement because they are the best example for all ethnic minorities in the world who are suffering right now in their own countries under the regimes of their countries.
In fact, Kurdistan independence is a symbol of freedom, democracy and self determination ethnic minority. We, all ethnic minority groups around the world, are happy and proud of the Kurdistan independence movement which is our symbols also. Kurdish people should never give up their independence movement until they are given their God's given original right. They need to stand up against all the odds and forces against them.
It is clear nos that Syria, Iran, Iraq and Turkey will never want the strong and united Kurdish people and they will never want to grant the freedom and self-determination to the Kurds. So, the strong army of KRG, Peshmerger, who are the symbols of freedom and justice for Kurdistan people, need unite under the leadership of KRG's leaders and fight all their enemies who are trying to destroy them. This is the right time for Kurdish people to take their independence.
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| KRG Pre. Massoud Barzani |
I believe that Pre. Barzani could fight for independence for his people and their homeland. He would not be scare to Iraq, Syria. Iran or Turkey. God will help him to establish a free and democratic country for his people. Under his leadership, the capital city Erbil became one of the most developed and popular cities in the world and some predicted it as "Second Dubai."
Therefore, all his country fellows, young and old, male an female, rich and poor, educated and uneducated need to stand firm behind the leadership of their great leader and hero, Massoud Barzani, and united against all the threats from Iraq and all foreign countries especially Iran and Turkey which countries never respect minority groups in their own countries.
Kurdish people must realize "Independence is not cheap and given; it is taken with bloods and sweats."I, an ethnic minority in Myanmar, strongly endorse and support Kurdistan independence movement. I truly believe that they must have the right to secede from Iraq and have the right of self determination and self-rule over their land and people. No nations or organizations on earth have no right to rule them. This article is to support Kurdish minority in Iraq for their independence movement.
We all need to pray for Kurdish independence referendum so that peace can be restored by all parties. We all need to pray for peace and justice for Kurdistan people so that they must have the right to exist as a people on earth. If they vote Yes to independence the future of Kurdistan people and their land is as bright as the now peaks in their beautiful homeland.
The journey for independence may be long and difficult but victory is in the end. This victory will not come from others but from the Kurdish people themselves.
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| Beautiful Snow Peaks in Kurdistan (Ref. www.DavisHunter.com) |
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Endnote
1. International Recognition of Kosovo Independence quoted in Wikepedia
2. International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the declaration of Kosovo Independence, Wekipedia.
3. https://www.iraqinews.com/baghdad-politics/kurdistan-news-eu-independence-referendum-counterproductive/
3. Dominic Green, "A Kurdish State is in American's Interest-and the Region's, too" cited at http://www.weeklystandard.com/a-kurdish-state-is-in-americas-interestand-the-regions-too
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