Kurdish Policy Analysis

Speakers at the Democratic Unity Initiative conference warn that decades of division have blocked Kurdish political goals, urging a unified legal and political framework and drawing parallels with Rojava and historical stateless struggles.

Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj, Sulaimani, Iraq, April 2026  —Participants in the conference organized by the Democratic Unity Initiative affirmed that national unity is a fundamental condition for the Kurds to attain their rightful place. Meanwhile, the co-chair of the Democratic Regions Party, Jidem Keleç Gön Uçar, emphasized the necessity of enacting an internal law that guaranties freedom and strengthens unity. 

The conference organized by the Democratic Unity Initiative today in the city of Amêd (Diyarbakır) in Northern Kurdistan, titled "Kurds of Northern Kurdistan Discuss Their National Unity," featured multiple interventions from political leaders, party representatives, and academics. They emphasized that the historical absence of Kurdish unity has hindered the achievement of political demands, and that building a unified legal and political framework internally has become an urgent necessity for the future of the Kurdish cause.

The conference organized by the Democratic Unity Initiative today in the city of Amêd in Northern Kurdistan under the title: "Kurds of Northern Kurdistan Discuss Their National Unity," featured multiple interventions from political leaders, party representatives, and academics. They emphasized that the historical absence of Kurdish unity has been an obstacle to achieving political demands, and that building a unified legal and political internal framework has become an urgent necessity for the future of the Kurdish cause.

The joint spokesperson, Colgan Kecmaz Sayigit, opened the conference, emphasizing that one of the main reasons for the discussions in Kurdistan is the issue of national unity. She also referred to the Rojava model, explaining that a united popular stance is capable of thwarting many schemes, and emphasized the necessity for the Kurds to unite around a common political will.

For his part, spokesperson Mohammed Kamaj confirmed that the failure of the Kurds to achieve unity during the twentieth century led to dire consequences, calling for the necessity of uniting various parties within a common strategy.

Kamaj also called on all Kurdish political parties to initiate an open and joint discussion on the national unity project, pointing out that the main goal is to bear the historical responsibility of building this unity, and affirming that unity is the only way for the Kurds to achieve their rightful place.

In a notable intervention, the co-chair of the Democratic Regions Party, Jidem Keleç Gön Uçar, emphasized that Kurdish freedom requires not only national unity but also the establishment of an internal law specific to the Kurds, considering that the absence of this legal framework weakens the ability to organize political and social life.

Jidem Keleç Gön Uçar emphasized the importance of the Kurdish language, considering that speaking in one's mother tongue is one of the most significant achievements of the struggle for freedom. She pointed out that the Kurdish movement has established the foundations of national unity, which should be based on democratic and inclusive principles.

She added that differing viewpoints did not prevent reaching a common ground on the issue of Kurdish people's freedom, explaining that the conflict in Kurdistan is linked to policies of denial and forced assimilation, and emphasizing the necessity of moving on to discuss ways and mechanisms for building freedom.

She also confirmed that the Kurds are not included in the state's existing law, which necessitates the development of their own internal legal framework, pointing out that the absence of this framework leads to the continuation of arrests and displacement. She added that building a democratic internal law is a fundamental condition for entering into an equitable legal dialog with the state.

She cited the Rojava experience as an example of resistance and unity, renewing her call to strengthen Kurdish cohesion in the face of division. At the end of her speech, she called on the state to confront its past, emphasizing that achieving freedom requires a continuous struggle led by the Kurdish movement, with Abdullah Ocalan at the forefront. She pointed out that the philosophy of "Women, Life, Freedom" represents the foundation for building democracy and peace.

After her speech, the conference participants presented their views. Halim Ebek considered that the issue of unity has been a central theme since the Qasr al-Shirin Agreement, pointing out the existence of a popular trend supporting unity, in contrast to the continued divergence of political party positions, urging them to take on their responsibilities.

Ohanas Ghafour Ohanian also drew attention to the genocide against the Armenians, pointing out the killings and displacement this people suffered, and warning that the continued absence of national unity could pave the way for similar tragedies to be repeated.

Dr. Khalil pointed out that the approach of achieving victory is often accompanied by an increase in the size of challenges, affirming that the homeland of the Kurds is Kurdistan. He added that discussions about the Armenian genocide have revealed the extent of the tragedies suffered by various peoples, warning that failing to establish unity could lead to the repetition of such disasters, and emphasizing that strengthening unity has become an inevitable choice.

And after the speeches concluded, a documentary film about national unity was screened, before the conference proceedings resumed behind closed doors to the media.

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