Final Resolution: Conference on the Crisis in the Middle East, Iran and the Kurds in the European Parliament

With the organisation of the Kurdish friendship group in the European Parliament, the KNK and the Eastern Kurdistan Commission on Thursday 4 June 2015 an international conference was held titled: “Crisis in the Middle East, Iran and the Kurds”. Many of European Kurdish friends and supporters, representatives of Kurdish political parties and organisations as well as Beluchi, Azeri, Ahwazi Arab and Yersinia representatives were in attendance. Other people and independent individuals also participated and were involved in the discussions.

This conference was held at a very crucial time. In particular, it focused on the rule and the current situation of Iran in the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, and the position of the Kurds in Eastern Kurdistan as well as that of the other ethnic-religious groups within Iranian territory. At this conference a plan and solution for addressing the existing crisis was presented, and democracy for Iran was widely requested.

During this conference participants agreed and had common views on the following issues:

1. The Iranian regime is an autocratic regime, and its policies are based on forbidding any freedom of thought and speech. Oppression, torture, rape and executions and assimilating people are also part of the regime’s systematic policy towards religious and ethnic groups. The regime stands against all forms of democratic progress and democratic activities. The conference, therefore, opposed the current Iranian politics, as such policies are undemocratic and against fundamental human rights.
2. The Iranian regime uses executions as a form of revenge, terror and to silence anyone who opposes the government and the situation of political prisoners was especially a serious cause of concern. This policy is not acceptable according to international human rights norms, and this approach should be halted immediately. The conference also called for the release of all political prisoners.
3. For a more democratic and free life in Iran, the conference requested an accelerated struggle within, and increased unity among political parties, religious and other representatives, in their approach to addressing the oppressive policies of the regime.
4. The conference demanded democratization of Iran and its policies towards human right and the fundamental rights of all minorities such as, the Kurds, Azeri, Arabs, Baluch and Turkmen, to be officially recognised. In addition, all religious minorities such as Sunnis, Yarisan, Zoroastrian, Mandaeans and Bahai, and their freedom to religious expression, should be respected and constitutionally recognized.
5. The conference requested that an inquiry be held into women’s rights in Iran. It was argued that women’s rights were the most important issue currently in Iran; and, to resolve the level of violence and oppression towards women, the role of women within society should become more progressive, and repression and inequality against women should cease immediately.
6. The conference viewed dialogue as important and essential in regards to the acceptance of Eastern Kurdistan’s political parties. It was necessary that all the Kurdish political parties and organizations take responsibility and work closely together. In agreement between them they should build national unity and with greater unity they could play an important role in facilitating dialogue and discussion among all Iranian ethnic and religious groups.
7. It is necessary that the Iranian academic and writers in Eastern Kurdistan actively play a more active role, and participate in building national unity. These academics can greatly influence the political, cultural and civil life within the Kurdish community and in Iran.
8. In order to build a democratic and modern society, forming and organising a free and independent media is also important in influencing Eastern Kurdistan.
9. Distributing addictive drugs by the Iranian regime and addiction among the young Kurdish people should cease immediately, and all political parties should take a public stand against it.
10. The conference regards the negotiations between Western powers and Iran over the nuclear issue as a positive step. However, the EU, UN and other international institutions should also start discussions, and focus on the Iranian regime’s activities and actions that are against ethnic, religious, human rights.
11. The conference called on all the organizations and parties within the European Union to be more concerned with encouraging practices designed to bring about reforms and democratization in Iran. The EU, in regards to promotion of genuine democratizing in Iran, should support opposition political parties and organizations in Iran.
12. The Iranian government should be pressured to recognize the Yarasan faith as part of its constitution.
13. Children’s human rights are an essential part of the future, and democratic life. In particular the rights of the girl child is suppressed and denied to the extreme. The conference called on all political parties to adopt a more united effort to demand greater freedom and rights for children, particularly in relation to their rights to cultural, linguistic and religious freedom, in Iran.

Kurdistan National Congress ─ KNK