Kurdistan.. A Massive Federal Entity.. with No Room for Contest

*The Article was Published in the Asharq Al-Awsat Newspaper on 7/2/2004

The current federal system in Kurdistan, supported by the Kurdish population, seeks expansion to encompass all areas of Kurdistan, not limited to Kurdish inhabitants alone. This expansion is grounded in a judicial ruling asserting that federalism should include areas where the majority aligns with the provisions of the 1974 Autonomy Act issued in Baghdad.
The formal designation of autonomy for Kurdistan was determined by the Iraqi government, not solely for Kurds, with the intention of incorporating all Kurdish-majority areas. This decision garnered official approval from various Iraqi political factions, including both Kurdish and Arab opposition parties.
Moreover, this decision received acknowledgment from the broader Arab community, notably from the late Arab leader Jamal Abdel Nasser. In a significant telegram to the Iraqi Republic President, he not only congratulated and supported the March Announcement, recognizing autonomy but also emphasized the Iraqi people's dual composition of Arabs and Kurds, affirming the Kurdish people's right to autonomy.

Furthermore, the autonomy plan earned endorsement from the National Congress of the Arab Baath Party, led by the late President Hafez Al Assad, despite opposition from the rightist Baath faction before the Correction Movement. Libya, under the leadership of revolutionary figure Muammar Ghaddafi, consistently advocated for the independence and unification of the Kurdish people in Kurdistan, aligning with and supporting the autonomy cause.

Moreover, the Arab Progressive Party and the Palestinian Liberation Organization promptly expressed their support for the March Announcement, advocating for the interests of the Kurdish people. The agreement also received international approval, with the Soviet Union and all Eastern European states endorsing both the agreement and the Kurdish people's right to autonomy. Additionally, it secured backing from communist, socialist, and labor parties, as well as European states and the United States.
The Autonomy Act, issued on March 11, 1974, despite its numerous shortcomings, reaffirmed several key points through official legislation by the Revolutionary Command Council:

1-The presence of a Kurdistan area with autonomy, constituting a Kurdish entity within a unified Iraq, encompassing the governorates of Duhok, Erbil, and Sulaimaniyah. However, several other Kurdish areas were excluded.
2-Establishment of a legislative council for the Kurdistan area, functioning as a representative body to be elected for the area.
3-Nonetheless, a persistent dispute between the Kurdish people and the Baath government persisted, particularly regarding the borders and authorities of the autonomous Kurdistan region. The focal point of contention revolved around Kirkuk and Khanaqin, where Iraqi Vice President Saddam Hussein proposed dividing Kirkuk along the Khasa River. The Kurdish side rejected this proposal, insisting on implementing the 1957 census data for Kirkuk. According to this census, Kurdistan was granted autonomy over areas with a Kurdish majority. The 1957 statistics for Kirkuk revealed that Kurds were the majority in the governorate, with a population of 187,593, compared to 83,371 Turkmen.
Despite these disputes, a new reality emerged—the official establishment of the autonomous Kurdistan region, signifying the presence of a recognized Kurdish entity within a unified Iraq.
This well-established truth is currently met with ignorance, particularly by those who oppose federalism. Consequently, it is imperative to reiterate and consistently emphasize this fact, hoping that the reminder proves beneficial to the believers.
The call for federalism does not originate from ground zero but is rooted in the reality officially acknowledged at the levels of Iraq, its people, Arabs, states, governments, parties, and boards.

This demand was formalized through a unanimous decision of the Kurdish National Council at a time when Kurdistan stood devoid of Iraqi government dominance, influence, and presence. It existed in a state of de facto independence, embodying two essential truths:
1-The Kurdish people's commitment to genuine Iraqi national unity founded on federal and democratic principles.
2-The steadfast determination to remain part of a unified Iraq, with relations structured on federalism, allocating sovereignty rights to the central government and the remaining authority to the Federal Kurdistan Region. These sovereignty rights encompass the presidency of the state, armed forces, foreign relations, public finance, foreign trade, and national resources such as oil, gas, currency, and the central bank.

Over a span of more than 12 years, the Kurdish people exercised their federal rights and achieved significant successes in various domains such as the economy, politics, culture, and social aspects. The reconstruction efforts extended to thousands of villages that had been ravaged by dictatorship, returning them to their rightful owners, the farmers. Additionally, the reconstruction initiatives included war-torn cities, with special attention given to Halabja, which had been subjected to chemical weapon attacks, causing the death and injury of thousands of its peaceful and secure residents. The renewal efforts also extended to other towns and cities, including Penjwen, Chwarta, Qaladiza, Choman, Gallalla, Mergasor, Sherwana, and more.

Moreover, efforts were undertaken to organize administrations, police, and public security forces, contributing significantly to the stability in Kurdistan. These organized entities actively addressed the affairs and dealings of the people, aiming to serve their interests. Notably, Duhok University and Koya University were established, and Sulaimani University was revitalized, which was abolished during the dictatorial regime's vindictive measures against Sulaimaniyah city. Additionally, numerous technical and educational institutes were founded throughout Iraqi Kurdistan.

We would like to highlight the advancements in the health sector over the 12 years of regional governance in the Sulaimaniyah area:
1-The number of physicians in 1991, after seventy years of central governance, was 178, and now it stands at 1125. Over seventy years, the central government constructed 35 health centers, while currently, there are 462 health centers. The region had 7 hospitals in the past, and now it boasts 27 hospitals. The workforce has seen significant growth, with 13,200 paramedics, nurses, health employees, and administrative staff, in contrast to the 3220 employees in the past. The substantial disparity between what the regional government in the Sulaimaniyah area has provided in 12 years and what the Iraqi governments provided over seventy years is evident.
There is the same advancement in the areas of Duhok and Erbil as well.

In the realm of education, successive Iraqi governments built 404 primary and secondary schools while also dismantling Sulaimani University in the Kurdistan Regional Government area (Sulaimaniyah) over a span of seventy years. Presently, there are 1980 schools, encompassing kindergartens, primary, secondary, and preparatory schools, as well as institutes, serving a student population of 412,371. This marks a substantial increase from the 220,886 students recorded in 1991. The number of teachers and instructors has similarly risen to 22,486 compared to the 7,170 educators in 1991. As evident, the figures have doubled.
Moreover, Sulaimani University has been reconstructed and is now recognized as the best and most modern university in Iraq, according to acknowledgments from UNESCO, European, and American university delegations.

The university comprises 20 colleges with 64 branches, boasting a faculty of 406 lecturers and an enrolled student population of 7,966. Accommodation is provided for three thousand students, tuition-free, and each student receives a suitable monthly stipend. The university is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including hundreds of computers and a modern internet network.
Additionally, there are 6 technical institutes featuring 30 branches, staffed by 53 lecturers and serving 2,168 students. The institutes offer dormitories with a capacity for 672 students.
It's important to note that these statistics pertain to the academic year 2002-2003, with evident advancements and increases observed in all fields in the subsequent academic year of 2003-2004.

Education and health exemplify notable progress, underscoring the stark contrast between the era of Iraqi dictatorship and regression and the current period under the regional government in Kurdistan. Remarkable advancements are also observable in the realms of reconstruction, infrastructure, transportation, communication, trade, free-market economy, and cultural development.

This collective progress underscores the imperative for federalism as a vital precondition for social, cultural, political, scientific, and health advancement for the Kurdish people. Furthermore, our government has revitalized a limited number of existing factories in Kurdistan, counteracting the chauvinistic and national cleansing policies that sought to deprive the region of its industrial assets. Despite hundreds of existing factories in Kurdistan, only a fraction remain operational—less than ten!
In liberated Kurdistan, political and party life has flourished, accompanied by democratic freedoms encompassing publications, organizational activities, media, and the right to own radio and television stations.

Trade and reconstruction businesses were revitalized based on a free-market economy, supported by encouraging assistance from the Regional Government.
Life was restored to villages that were utterly devastated by Saddam Hussein. These villages, along with their fields, had suffered complete destruction, burning, and the widespread theft of millions of sheep and livestock, impeding agricultural activities. The majority of these villages underwent reconstruction, bringing back agricultural vitality. Many villages now have access to electricity, irrigation, and health projects. Animal resources were replenished, leading to an increase in their numbers. Consequently, Sulaimaniyah city has transformed into one of the most beautiful and cleanest cities in Iraq.

All these realities underscore the drawbacks of dictatorship and the benefits of democracy, particularly under a federal administration. Citizens' lives have improved significantly, with considerable salary increases and improved working conditions, alleviating issues of unemployment.
Advancements have also been made in women's rights, where equal rights with men have been affirmed. Opportunities for women have expanded, with roles as ministers, deputy ministers, managers, kaymakams, and judges in the courts. Furthermore, legislation has been enacted to prevent polygamy, and the so-called "Honor Act," which sanctioned the killing of women by their relatives without fair prosecution, has been repealed.

Moreover, the sports movement in Kurdistan has seen notable progress, with activated sports teams and clubs receiving financial support from the Regional Government. Numerous structures have been established in many cities to facilitate the development of sports activities.
Concurrently, the cultural and political arenas have experienced complete freedom, enabling various parties to operate without constraints. Democratic organizations have been established, exercising their activities freely and issuing numerous newspapers and magazines without censorship.
Cultural institutes, such as Sardam and Galawezhi Nwe in Sulaimaniyah, and others like Lalesh in Erbil and Duhok, have been founded. The theatrical, artistic, and literary movements have expanded across Kurdistan.

Local, national, and international TV stations, alongside radios affiliated with various parties and organizations, have been established. In summary, Kurdistan has evolved into a realm of freedom and democracy, experiencing growth and development across numerous facets. It stands as a model for the new democratic Iraq, a truth acknowledged by all who visit the region.

Hence, this pioneering democratic experiment, particularly in the context of Kurdistan's democratic federalism, merits acknowledgment, encouragement, and congratulations from all well-intentioned individuals in Iraq and those who advocate for freedom and democracy in the broader region.
Nevertheless, there exist individuals who are ignorant of life's truths or influenced by chauvinistic sentiments against the Kurdish people. Unfortunately, these individuals seek to undermine this democratic experiment instead of promoting its expansion throughout Iraq and further advancement.

They oppose federalism not only throughout Iraq but also vehemently in Kurdistan. In doing so, they metaphorically butt their heads against the sturdy mountains of Kurdistan, hindering economic, political, and social progress. Their efforts focus on promoting animosity and hatred, particularly between Kurds and Arabs standing against their rights to federalism and democracy.

In a futile attempt, they seek to rewrite history, imposing darkness on a society illuminated by the principles of federalism and democracy. Their ambition is to dismantle the achievements of the Kurdish people, undermine their hard-earned rights, and destroy the progress, civilization, and modern civil society that have been built. Their aspirations are deplorable, and their hopes are utterly unattainable.
The Conference of the Iraqi Opposition in London
We also would like to document our article with the text of the decision issued by the Iraqi opposition congress in London unanimously and later earned the support of the governments of the United States and Britain and the Socialist International:
Tenth: Federalism and the Resolution of the Kurdish Issue
((During the examination of the Kurdish issue and the sought-after solutions, the conference underscored the reality of diversity and pluralism in the national, religious, and political makeup of Iraqi society. It emphasized the importance of fostering voluntary national unity by ensuring equality among all citizens, in line with the principles outlined in the Salahaddin Conference, other Iraqi opposition gatherings, and the political discourse of the opposition leadership in Washington in August 2002.The Iraqi Kurdistan National Council initiated a comprehensive federal project during its session on November 7, 1992 and the conference conveyed its respect for the Kurdish people and acknowledged their free will in selecting an appropriate framework for collaboration with their fellow citizens in the homeland. Reflecting on the experiences of federal systems, the conference deemed federalism a fitting governance structure for Iraq, serving as a foundation for addressing the Kurdish issue within the constitutional institutions following the overthrow of Saddam's dictatorial regime and the anticipated events of change.

 In this context, the conference maintained a commitment to Iraqi unity and coexistence among its diverse nationalities, founded on the principles of optional union. It reiterated the need to address the legitimate and just demands of the Kurdish people, advocating for the elimination of all forms of oppression and suppression based on international legal principles, recognizing the right to self-determination. The conference emphasized the spirit of brotherhood, unity, and partnership within the homeland.))
In Conclusion
We assert that federalism has intentionally been distorted and deprived by those with racist ideologies. Federalism inherently signifies union. For instance, Federal Germany is translated as the united Germany. In this context, federalism conveys a sense of unity rather than division. However, it is a voluntary and optional unity. A democratic unity respects the will of the people and their right to govern their distinct areas.
Historically, federalism has been employed to unify a nation's regions, such as in Germany, or to bring together regions inhabited by diverse nationalities, as seen in Canada and Switzerland. It is also used to unify regions with distinct characteristics, as in India, Pakistan, and Australia. Thus, federalism is fundamentally about unification rather than division.

Federalism is a democratic practice aimed at involving all citizens in the governance of their country, providing them with the freedom to elect their leaders and manage their specific regions. It entails the distribution of authorities between the central government and regional entities, thereby preventing extreme centralization that mirrors dictatorship, monopolization, and the confinement of administrative and other rights and powers.
Finally, federalism embodies a modern and civilizational approach within a unified state comprising diverse nationalities and distinct regions. However, chauvinists deliberately overlook these evident facts, portraying federalism as a terrifying boogeyman to manipulate and mislead the naive and simple-minded, intending to poison their minds.

*The Secretary-General of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan
29/02/2024