UNPO supports 'Kurdish legitimate expression of self-determination'
UNPO calls the GoI and the international community to respect Iraqi Kurd’s legitimate right to decide; and the KRG, in turn, to make sure that the interests of all minority components are taken into account and balanced in the process that could lead to an independent Iraqi Kurdistan,
"ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) - Unrepresented Nations and Poeple's Organization (UNPO) in a statement on Thursday extended its support for "Kurdish Legitimate Expression of Self-Determination," saying it strongly believes in the right to self-determination of all nations and peoples around the world.
UNPO described the referendum as "the greatest expression of the right to decide that a nation can undertake," emphasizing the importance of respecting the rights of other ethnic and religious groups living within the Kurdish region and claimed areas.
The group emphasized that for a "peaceful transition" to statehood, dialogues with Baghdad and respecting the needs of diverse components are vital and criticized Iraq for rejecting Kurds' democratic rights.
"In this context, it is worrying to see that the Iraqi authorities are opposed to this referendum," saying the disagreement "can have negative consequences for minorities living in areas claimed by the KRG, among which the Assyrians and Iraqi Turkmen are or have been for many years."
UNPO said the referendum is planned to also cover areas that have been freed by Peshmerga forces, in spite of minority leaders voicing concern that they are not within the traditional Kurdish region.
"While not calling for outright independence, also in view of the overlap of many of their traditional territories, many minority leaders in the Ninewa region have argued that the creation of separate governorates within the region would be one way of actualizing Article 125 of Chapter Four of the Iraqi constitution, which extends the rights of decentralized powers to minorities," the statement read.
The creation of separate governorates would grant minorities of Ninewa devolved powers with which they could carry out self-administration on matters pertaining to their own communities, the statement added.
"Therefore, in light of the approaching referendum, UNPO calls the GoI and the international community to respect Iraqi Kurd’s legitimate right to decide; and the KRG, in turn, to make sure that the interests of all minority components are taken into account and balanced in the process that could lead to an independent Iraqi Kurdistan," UNPO concluded.
UNPO identifies as an international, nonviolent and democratic membership organization whose members are indigenous peoples, minorities, unrecognized States and occupied territories that have joined together to defend their political, social and cultural rights, to preserve their environments and to promote their right to self-determination.