Topic: The Question of Kurdistan
Country: Nigeria
Delegate Name: Amelia Cottrell
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Nigeria position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
Turkey was divided into smaller states, by the Treaty of Sevres, which was signed on August 10th 1920. Although, the Kurdish state never became part of the treaty because the treaty was annulled, resulting in the Kurds being quite hostile to siding governments. However today, the Kurds live in Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. In these countries the laws range from being a full citizen, to not a citizen, to not being able to vote, to not be able speak their own language, to not be able give their children Kurdish names, and denying Kurdish people the rights that go along with citizenship. Their subduing has resulted in motivating the Kurds to gain their own rights that come along with citizenship in their respective states. Because of their unhappiness and their want for recognition, the Kurds protest violently and peacefully, which as a result can often be looked at as acts of terrorism–although not by the United Nations. Governmental instability and partial political environments are causes for the still rapidly approaching issues. Today the population of Kurdistan is 30 million people, and the population still remains divided between the modern states of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran. Despite Kurdistan’s vast territory there are still many present variables that are preventing progress from being made for the citizenship rights, recognition, and an end to longstanding persecution of the Kurdish people.
Nigeria does not support the Kurds in their journey to become an independent-state. Nigeria exports mass amounts of oil all around the world. Because of the oil, Nigeria is very affluent, but then relies heavily on the oil for Nigeria to be sustained. Kurdistan also would be involved in oil, although a error in the system is that the Kurdish people feel unsure where the oil is going and where the money is located. It has become a very lucrative business for the Kurdish people. Also Nigeria’s knows about our past and the wars we have been involved in. In Nigeria’s history we have had very strenuous and bloody disputes over religion and ethnicity. This history is proof that it is crucial a nation needs to stay together and splitting a country up will cause for issues and a government will have lack of structure. Nigeria does strongly advises Kurdistan to not split up because their religious groups and ethnic groups will be affected severely. Because of their uncertainty for a well developed and successful independent state, Nigeria believes it would beneficial if Kurdistan did not become an independent state.
Kurdistan should not became an independent state. The Kurds do not have an established way to make a substantial amount of revenue and we do not suggest they break up their state because it will cause disputes between religions. The Kurdish people need to prove they can be independent, because many nations are counting on them as well as the United Nations. If Kurdistan can have their border disputes under control, organized economic activity, and sovereignty so that no other country has power over their territory then it is likely Kurdistan could become an independent state. Hopefully, eventually Kurdistan will be able to be an independent state and be able to form diplomatic and economics international relationships, but before they are able to officially become one, it is obligatory they prove they are capable of being independent and are not putting relationships in their country at risk.
