Topic: The Question of Kurdistan
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Anisha Nagpal
School: Grand Blanc High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United Kingdom position papers GLIMUN 2014 committees
Presently the area of “Kurdistan” embodies a culture, language, and national identity but no defined area of land. The region known as Kurdistan consists of fragmented territories existing in northern Iraq, northwestern Iran, and northeastern Syria. Often times Kurds living in this region have been denied of their right to cultural expression because of the fragile circumstances of their placement. In the 1920 Treaty of Sèvres, Kurdistan was promised an independent state yet due to conflicts among local countries, the treaty was never ratified. In 1984 a solution process emerged to settle the delicate issue but has been unproductive for both Kurds and surrounding states as it has led to conflict incited by violent nationalistic groups. While Kurds are a displaced people, the United Kingdom believes there can be no solution regarding the establishment of an independent state until just international agreements are made determining their civil rights and the invalidity of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a defined terrorist group popularly known as the PKK.
The world is in a current state of disarray as millions of civilians are left unprotected and frightened under the unstable capabilities of their current domestic governments. The displaced people of Kurdistan are among those who are vulnerable and stripped of their rights due to the actions of their assumed political leaders. Because of the disorganization and chaos surrounding their predicament, the future of an established state of Kurdistan is vague. The United Kingdom believes all current efforts should be directed at eliminating the violent measures taken by the PKK before any steps securing statehood develop.
The first step that needs to occur to ensure that the rights of Kurds are restored is for all nations to band together and reach an established conclusion on the liberties guaranteed to refugees and asylum seekers throughout the region. Only through the cooperation of governing bodies can the misplaced citizens of the world be protected. We also need to reach a united front on protecting our citizens from the grips of terrorism. Terrorism is a wildfire that feeds on the fear of the defenseless. As technology grows exponentially, the world is drawn closer together. Terrorism then becomes an issue that impacts an entire global community. The guerilla warfare incited by groups like the PKK must not be allowed to influence and intrude upon the anchored societies of our peoples. Not only the states in the European Union, but all of those who value the safety of their citizens should not permit violent parties like the PKK to function.
