Kurds, UN: Between right to self-determination; observer status

The idea of the United Nations began as an alliance of several countries during World War II, but it quickly evolved into an organization seeking to encompass all nations. Today, the UN has 193 full member states.

In the final statement of its 24th General Assembly meeting, held on June 6–7, 2026, in the Netherlands, the Kurdistan National Congress announced that it would seek to submit a proposal to the United Nations calling for recognition of the Kurdish people as a nation and granting them observer status within the UN.

Who can obtain this status? What is the procedure for acquiring it? Can the Kurds represent themselves at the United Nations without having a state of their own?

The United Nations has the authority to recognize the Kurdish people as a nation.

Membership Status

According to Article 4 of the United Nations Charter, membership is open to all peace-loving states that accept the obligations contained in the Charter, agree to comply with the decisions of the organization, and are capable of carrying out these obligations. Admission to UN membership is granted by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.

Applicants must:

Be a state.

Be peace-loving.

Accept the obligations set forth in the UN Charter.

Be capable of carrying out these obligations.

Be willing to do so.

According to the International Court of Justice, in the Conditions of Admission of a State to Membership in the United Nations case, these requirements are considered “exhaustive.”

For this reason, the Kurdistan National Congress has stated that it is seeking observer status for the Kurdish people at the United Nations.

Permanent observer status

Instead of becoming a full member of the United Nations, an entity may obtain observer status.

This status is based entirely on established practice, as the UN Charter contains no specific provisions governing it. The only requirement for a non-member state seeking observer status is membership in one or more specialized UN agencies, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Observers whether states or non-state entities have the right to speak at General Assembly meetings, participate in procedural votes, sponsor and sign procedural resolutions, but they do not have the right to vote on resolutions or other substantive matters.

Such a status would provide broader international recognition of Kurdish identity and its cultural and political rights, while placing the Kurdish issue within UN frameworks concerning the rights of peoples, minorities, and self-determination.

Observers that do not possess statehood include international organizations and other entities not recognized as states.

Many regional and international governmental organizations enjoy this status, including the Arab League, the African Union, the European Union, the Organization of American States, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Currently, there are two non-member states that hold permanent observer status at the United Nations: the Holy See (Vatican City) and Palestine.

Observer status is granted through a simple majority vote in the United Nations General Assembly after an application is submitted.

Examples of peoples that have pursued similar requests

Palestine: The most advanced example

The Palestinian cause is considered the most prominent example of a people without a sovereign state that succeeded in obtaining official UN recognition. In 1974, the United Nations General Assembly granted the Palestine Liberation Organization observer status as the representative of the Palestinian people. In 2012, Palestine’s status was upgraded to that of a “non-member observer state,” making it virtually the only case of a people that has not yet achieved full UN membership but has nevertheless secured official representation within the international organization.

Western Sahara: A self-determination process still pending

In Western Sahara, the United Nations continues to classify the territory as a non-self-governing territory. The Polisario Front demands the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination through an UN-sponsored referendum that has yet to take place. Although a number of countries recognize the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, it has not obtained either membership or observer status at the United Nations.

Taiwan: International presence without a UN seat

Taiwan represents a unique case. It possesses the institutions of a state and functions independently in practice, yet it has remained outside the United Nations since 1971, when its seat was transferred to the People’s Republic of China. Since then, efforts to regain membership or obtain permanent observer status have failed because of political complexities surrounding the “One China” policy.

Kosovo: Incomplete international recognition

Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, has been recognized by more than one hundred countries. However, it remains outside the United Nations due to the lack of consensus within the Security Council regarding its admission. This has also prevented Kosovo from obtaining any formal status within the General Assembly.

ANHA