UK MPs express support for Kurdistan’s independence referendum

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – the UK MPs on Tuesday had the first debate in three years about the Kurdistan Region and its upcoming independence referendum in September.

At the debate, attended by the UK government representative, the MPs shared their views and expressed support for the referendum, urging their country’s government to facilitate the move and not stand against it.

Jack Lopresti, Conservative Party MP and the Chairman of the APPG on the Kurdistan Region in Iraq:

Lopresti stated that “the Iraqi federalism has sadly failed and cannot be revived because the Shia majority has no appetite for federalism or minority rights.”

The end of federalism in Iraq was demonstrated in February 2014 by the Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki, who unconstitutionally cut all federal budget transfers to Kurdistan, Lopresti said, warning that sectarianism and centralization caused the rise of ISIS in Iraq, and could do so again.

Lopresti thinks that a yes vote in the September independence referendum in the Kurdistan Region will lead to negotiations and the West should help, urging the UK to send observers to the Region for the referendum.

He also added that the West should continue nurture relations with the Kurdistan Region as a beacon of moderation, pluralism, and support of the western values.

He called on the UK government to increase support for the Peshmerga forces, especially provide medical treatment for the wounded fighters as some of the cases are out of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) capacity.

Fabian Hamilton, Labour Party MP

Hamilton in his speech expressed his party's views on the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum, saying that referendum would contribute to greater stability in the region.

He stated that the Labour Party “will recognize the results of Kurdistan’s referendum if we are convinced it was conducted openly and honestly, in a free and fair manner and that will require international observers.”

In addition, he stated that his party will recognize the state of Kurdistan “if the borders of Kurdistan are agreed and recognized internationally.”

Mary Glindon, Labour Party MP

Glindon expressed his support for the rights of Kurds to express their self-determination through the referendum, commending the leadership of the Kurdistan Region for asking people to mandate negotiation of full independence and new relations with Iraq.

Robert Halfon, Conservative Party MP

Halfon praised the role of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in protecting religious minorities who have taken refuge in the Kurdistan Region and are protected by the Peshmerga forces.

Halfon expressed his concern that the mentality that allows thousands of soldiers conduct genocide is still obvious in the condescending and high-handed manner in which the Kurds are treated by Baghdad and the attitude of the Shia militia towards the Kurds.

“I have much sympathy for the Kurds to have an independent state so that they can always protect themselves,” Halfon said, adding that they certainly have the right to exercise their right to self-determination through holding a referendum in September.

Halfon expressed willingness to observe Kurdistan’s independence referendum, urging the UK government to be proactive in seeking to facilitate the negotiations that would follow successful referendum results.

“The UK must do everything possible to support this remarkable nation [Kurds],” he concluded.

Nadhim Zahawi, Conservative Party MP

Zahawi stated that people of the Kurdistan Region have an alienable right for self-determination, as do all people, urging the UK government to welcome the September referendum.

Zahawi said that since 2014, the Kurdistan Region has been almost totally cut off in term of central government funding, explaining that significant parts of the Iraqi Constitution are yet to be implemented by Baghdad, including the Article 140 that resolves the disputed areas.

Zahawi assured the House of Commons that Kurdistan’s independence is an opportunity to bring greater stability to the whole region, urging the government to “look very closely at the opportunities in the Iraqi Kurdistan.”

Referring to meetings he had with the KRG PM and Deputy PM, Zahawi said that “Kurdistan Region would never ever resort to any violence of any kind against the Iraqi government to make their case for more control over their own affairs.”

He concluded by encouraging the UK government to be more positive about more autonomous Kurdistan and whatever path it chooses for itself in September.

Leo Docherty, Conservative Party MP

Docherty said that Kurdistan is and should continue to be a very important, strategically for the UK, urging his country’s government to help the Kurds defend their own interests as well as the UK interests.

He commended the role of the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces in defending people of Kurdistan including the Christians. He also praised the support the UK has provided to Peshmerga such as training, counter IEDs, heavy machine guns, and air power support.

Docherty questioned the viability of Iraq as a state, concluded that Britain's direct involvement in Iraq rarely meets with success, encouraging the government to engage in full frontal defense diplomacy to help the Kurds defend their interests and England's at the same time.

Douglas Chapman, Scottish National Party MP

People of Kurdistan Region have the right to decide their own future, Chapman said, stating that we will make sure that Kurdish self-determination is supported.

“We support the rights to self-determination as soon as it is through peaceful, democratic process and we welcome that the KRG pursues the legitimate aspirations by means of a popular vote,” Chapman stated.

He also said that referendum should be through dialogue with Baghdad and with all regional actors to ensure that independence peacefully contributes to the regional stability.

Chapman asked the UK government to reconsider their attitude towards Kurdistan and the referendum.

Alistair Burt, Minister of State for the Department for International Development and Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth

Burt reiterated the view of the UK government on the independent Kurdistan, saying, “We understand the aspiration of the Kurdish people and continue to support them politically, culturally and economically within Iraq.”

He added that the UK "believes that a referendum on independence risks detracting from more urgent priorities of defeating Daesh [Arabic word for Islamic State], stabilizing liberated areas, and addressing the long-term political, social and economic issues that led to Daesh’s rise."

“We maintain that any referendum or political process towards the independence must be agreed with Iraq and unilateral moves towards independence would not be in the interests of Kurdistan Region or wider regional stability," Burt concluded.

Editing by Ava Homa