More than 50 US political activists and academics who signed a statement supporting the Kurdistan independence referendum as a democratic process, valid under international law
September 23, 2017
Los Angeles,
The following is the full text of their statement:
Statement of support
for the right to hold a referendum in the Kurdistan region in Iraq on Sep 25th
To all people who may be concerned with conflict resolution in the Middle East, concerned about the rights of all people to self-determination, and/or who would simply like to learn more about why this referendum is being held.
We ask our representatives to support Kurdistan referendum. We, women who are in one way or another originated from or related to the world's largest nation without a country, the Kurds, in this crucial moment of history, stand by the Kurdistan Regional Government's decision to hold a referendum in Kurdistan of Iraq.
1) The referendum is a democratic process in which Kurdistani citizens are able to directly vote and decide on an important political matter: self-determination and independence.
2) The referendum is consistent with principles embodied in the United States Congressional Record (1918), where every civilized nation has the unquestionable right to exercise full powers of internal self-government.
3) The referendum is legal based on international law. The ratification of the United Nations Charter in 1945 at the end of World War II placed the right of self-determination into the framework of international law and diplomacy.
4) While we are deeply excited by the Kurdistani people's decision and the possibility of getting the right of independence in a legitimate referendum, we understand that a declaration of independence might not result from this vote.
5) This referendum is not only for Kurds, it is also for all Kurdistani people of various ethnicities and religious affiliations who are living in the region under the Kurdistan Regional Government.
6) The legacy of colonialism in the Middle East and the decision to deny Kurds' self- determination that came about as a result of the Sykes-Picot Agreement )1916) must come to an end.
7) We condemn all threats from neighboring countries who have oppressed Kurds throughout history. We urge them to not interfere with this democratic process.
8) We believe that supporting such a cause is supporting human dignity, people's right to vote, people's right to decide for their own future, and people's rights to rescue their future generations from oppression.
We strongly ask everyone to support this cause
Dr. Soraya Fallah, researcher; Traci Fahimi, Dean of SBC & Academic Programs; Chinar Binavi, President of Kurdish community center of CA; Soraya Mofty, Activist & Linguist; Leslie Ladd, fashion designer; Cklara Moradian, CSUN graduate student; Roya Nahid, businesswomen; Rojan Fayz, vocalist &activist ; Hanna Jaff, Philanthropist; Zhala Tawfiq, scientist ; Suzan Ahmed , Educator; MarmarStwart ,activist &Author; Azar Ghobadi , vocalist ,song writer; Mahboobeh Hossianinia, political activist; Nawaz Khasraw, Engineer; Ghomri Rostampour, public school educator; Farnaz Bahrami, event planner; Shaida Sharikandi, businesswoman; Hiro Salar, college student; SiloveBarvari,Publicist; FroozanKhoramian, Student; FawzeahAziz;Amina Abdullah; SafiyaDosky; LaekaSaddula; SabriaDosky; Kadria Sindi; Helen Sindi; Najeeba Shali; Bayan Sindi; MahdiaSindi; Nazdar Dosky; Rezan Dosky; Nazdar Qasab; Chiman Sindi; Bayan Merani; Nazdar Sharif; Fawzia Chalabi; Seeber Barwari, GalavejBarwari, Lana Dizay,Helaleh Sharikandi, Ava Aflak, Suzanne Darweesh, Nashmin Behrouzi,Parwaz Khasraw, Jwane Khasraw, Dr. Aida Ali Akreyi, researcher; and...
Names are not limited to the above list.
http://www.vokradio.com/content/view/2046/1/
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Voice of Kurdish-American Radio for Democracy, Peace, and Freedom
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