Conference in Brussels discusses international representation of Kurds at U.N

A conference was held at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), at the invitation of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK), to discuss ways of securing representation and status for the Kurds at the United Nations. The conference was attended by representatives of political parties, academics, and legal experts from the four parts of Kurdistan and from different countries around the world.

The conference was attended by American legal expert Barry Fisher, academic and former United Nations official Miloon Kothari, former Icelandic Foreign Minister Ögmundur Jónasson, and international law expert Connie Ledesma.

The conference discussed the legal, political, and diplomatic steps required to achieve representation for approximately 60 million Kurds, as well as ways to reach a common position among Kurdish parties and institutions regarding international representation.

Niloufer Koc said that the Kurds have been left, for nearly a century, without legal status or international representation. She said the aim of the conference was to discuss the issue of international representation, noting that the Kurdistan National Congress has been working on this issue for approximately one year.

Zeynep Murad: A long-term and strategic mission

Zeynep Murad, co-chair of the Kurdistan National Congress, said that over the course of a year, the congress had held diplomatic meetings with parties and institutions across Kurdistan.

She added that approximately 60 million Kurds live on their own land with their culture and identity, yet without representation in an international institution, and that the conference is discussing this issue.

Karamous: The need to develop a common national position

Ahmad Karamous, co-chair of the Kurdistan National Congress, said the conference represents an important milestone in the pursuit of international representation.

He noted that the issue of obtaining status and representation at the United Nations has now been placed on the agenda of Kurdish parties and institutions.

Karamous pointed to the changes taking place in the world and the Middle East, describing the current phase as one that presents both opportunities and risks. He stressed the need to unify Kurdish positions.

He explained that meetings had been held with parties and institutions in Rojava, North and South Kurdistan, and Europe, with the aim of discussing the submission of a request to the United Nations.

He added that the meetings held in South Kurdistan, particularly in Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, and Qandil, had been positive, and that there is an opportunity for joint action at this stage.

Karamous affirmed that a foundation for joint action has been established and that efforts will continue. He expressed optimism that results could be achieved in the next phase.

Representation and status at the United Nations on the agenda

The conference is discussing the issue of the legal and political representation of the Kurds, with obtaining observer status at the United Nations at the top of its agenda, alongside related diplomatic efforts and discussions on the steps necessary to reach a common position among Kurdish parties.

The conference is continuing its proceedings through presentations and interventions by experts in law and human rights.

ANHA