First of all, we would like to thank the European Parliament for this opportunity as well as for the Kurdistan National Congress and the Kurdish Institute in Brussels.
The third conference was held under a changing process politically and socially in the Middle East and in Iraq in particular. Since the previous conference last year, Iraq has experinced important transformations, the most important of which is the elimination of the Islamic State, the restructuring of the relations between the Federal Government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government in Erbil, as well as the preparations for the general elections,
Although some of these changes are positive in its public image, the security situation still carries a lot of risks, especially for the minorities, including the Failli Kurds, where the Kurdish communities in the capital and the main cities as well as the Feylee Kurds territories such as Khanaqin, Mandali, Badra and Kut, are subject to more threats and the use of violence and terrorist operations.
As these areas remained marginalized politically and in term of development, theirs historical infrastructure is facing erosion and decline in the level of services.
All that pose an existential challenge while complaints are being ignored. Furthermore the Feylee Kurds faces exclusion and being restricted to the decision-making in Baghdad or Erbil.
In the face of these great challenges, we would like to emphasize the following:
First, reaffirming the foundations and previous claims in the two previous conferences and working towards achieving them.
Second, emphasizing the necessity of the operationalization the democratic transformation and social, economic, political and legal change so as to ensure the building of sustainable foundations for the creation of a society of equality and citizenship, and the promotion of a culture of respect for the other, especially political and social recognition of the existence of minorities. Peaceful co-existence and active participation in all areas of social development
Thirdly, since women constitute one of the most important pillars in the structure of society, it is necessary to create the cultural and political grounds to ensure the equality of women and men in all fields of societal activities (political, economic, and social).
Fourth: The need to support young people and children, ensuring their development choices and future vision away from violence, crime and isolation.
Fifth: we request from the European Union to provide material and political support in achieving the following objectives:
1-To allow the Kurdish Failli communities in Baghdad and other cities and in the Failli Kurds territories to build themselves and operationalize their local administrations within the framework of decentralization system and thus work to crystallize a social and political basis that provides an opportunity for development and self-ruling.
2-Transform this area into a peace oasis that develops its historical experience for peaceful co-existence and plays an important role in creating a peaceful barrier against the major conflicting projects to the north and south, east and west.
3-Claim the Federal Government in Baghdad and the Regional Government in Erbil to the need to contribute effectively in the development of these areas by allocating from the federal and the regional budgets
4-Aid with regard to the infrastructure of roads and bridges and the construction of educational institutions and hospitals, as well as the need to provide irrigation water and support development small and medium projects.
5-Provide educational and training opportunities for the sectors of local employees and police, which may take over self-management, as well as the sectors of women and youth and children and the management of projects and other.
We affirm our commitment to the ethical charters of peaceful coexistence and our readiness to cooperate with all religious and ethnic groups and political forces, and on this basis we appeal to the governments of Baghdad and Erbil, as well as all political forces, to realize this vision and turn it into a project that serves security and peace and the creation of the ground for peaceful coexistence and security within Iraq and with its neighbors .
We also appeal to the international organizations, led by the United Nations, the European Union, regional countries, major countries and international organizations to contribute to this humanitarian project, which could establish an important step in building a safer and more peaceful Middle East.
3rd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FAYLEE KURDS IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Brussels, European Parliament, #12-04-2018#