Topic: The Question of Kurdistan
Country: Ethiopia
Delegate Name: Justin Hamburger
School: Roeper School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Ethiopia position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
The nation of Ethiopia is opposed to the creation of a sovereign Kurdistan. The creation of a Kurdish state would impinge on the sovereignty of the nations of Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. Currently, Ethiopia and Iran engage in bi-lateral trade, and Ethiopia has positive relations with Turkey and Iraq. Iran and Iranian Kurds are currently engaged in war. Ethiopia was in a similar situation with Eretria for almost thirty years until 1991, which was not pleasant to either party involved. Following Eretria’s independence, further conflict broke out from 1998 to 2001. Ethiopia lost a great deal of territory and has no interest in our regional allies, Iran and Turkey, to lose territory in a dubious nationalist struggle against legitimate rule. Iran has particularly strong financial ties to Ethiopia and we remain committed to our allies.
Many Ethiopian women work in Kurdistan. During their work they encounter many human rights violations. They are denied cell phones, showers and time off. They work ridiculous hours and face sexual harassment and even rape on a daily basis. Our nationals are harassed by Kurdish youth, taxi cab drivers, and travelers on the street. The country of Ethiopia strongly protests this mistreatment of our citizens and will not stand for these international outrages. If the Kurdish authorities would reason and handle the rapes with the death penalty like Kurdish law says, there would not be a problem. But Ethiopian women are denied going to the courts or the police.
In conclusion, Ethiopia strongly rejects calls for an independent Kurdistan. The nation of Ethiopia is deeply disgusted by the treatment of our citizens in Kurdistan, and we are deeply opposed to the taking of territory from our financial ally.
