Declaration Of The Establishment Of The Kurdish Diaspora Confederation

By: Fargo Bcn

The Diakurd: Kurdish Diaspora Confederation in Europe was officially established on January 22, 2022, following the procedures outlined in its Constitution and By-Laws. The announcement was made after the committee's full approval, with delegates from various organizations and European federations in attendance. The organizing committee, led by Keya Izol and members of the Kurdish Community in Sweden, did an exceptional job hosting the event. They ensured a smooth experience for all participants, from arrival to accommodation and throughout the main Congress event. The choice of venue was convenient and functional, allowing for comfortable movement. Recognizing and congratulating the founding pioneer committee members, who have dedicated significant effort over the past four years to make this conference a reality, is important.

The Diakurd conference has been attended by more or less 120 participants, including the crew and media coverage staff, and about 60 people online from different federation representatives, individuals representing organizations, political activists, Kurdish professionals, and experts. The event was dedicated in honor of the struggle of the Kurdish teacher, Zara Mohammadi, who was sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Iranian Regime; the Congress decided to commemorate the event with "Zaray Nishtiman" in support of her freedom. It purposely addresses the global audience and brings awareness about the fundamental rights of the Kurdish people for co-existence, democracy, equal rights, and self-determination. The conference was presided over by a group of four people, including equal numbers of women and men, elected by the conference. The Chairing committee included Kamuran Ji Kikan, Welat Nehri, Roza Kurdî, and Darya Kader Mulla. Welat Nehri formally opened the conference by leading the Kurdish national anthem, followed by a welcome address by Adnan Axacan, who gave the opening speech on behalf of the establishment committee. Dr. Kendal Nezan, president of the Kurdish Institute of Paris, presented a Keynote speech about the critical rule of the Kurdish Diaspora and the necessity to unite the Kurdish diaspora to serve the Kurdish National Movement and maintain Kurdish identity in the diaspora. A moment of respect was given for the message of the family of Zara Mohammadi, which was delivered and read by Majid Hakki.

As a non-Kurd, I'm highly interested in learning about the significant development in uniting the four regions of Kurdistan through the collective efforts and advocacy of the Kurdish Diaspora. It's been an honor to be invited to the event to experience first-hand information. I'm proud to be one of the 15 Finnish-Kurdish Federation, Finland delegation participants. As an observer, the challenging question posed to the majority of the Kurds has become one of the most relevant and symbolic to modern Kurdish history and perhaps even the most severe problem facing the divided regions of Kurdistan, primarily the injustices and oppression committed by the Iranian Regime today, and the Government of Turkey. It is considered one of the most pressing issues affecting the Kurdish Diaspora that needs to be addressed to the world. Following the imprisonment of Zara Mohammadi, consecutive protests took place in many capitals and major cities in countries in Europe and in North America where a large number of Kurds have migrated, like Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, America, and many more. Despite many negotiation attempts, the Iranian Regime doesn't adhere to any bargaining process. Iran shows no interest in the democratic resolution of the long-standing, deeply embedded, and complex issues that concern the country's Kurdish minority.

While Kurds in Iran continue to make demands to the Iranian government, Diaspora Kurds in Europe also unite to participate in the claims process by following alternative strategies at the local, national, and supranational levels. It is mainly defined in the objectives and purposes that Diakurd aims to achieve. Time has changed; the Kurdish issue is no longer a concern solely for countries in the Middle East, but it's globally becoming a point of discussion due to the active movement of the Kurdish Diaspora. It has increasingly become a European debate and a global concern where Kurds are majority residing. In light of its activism and visibility in Europe, the Kurdish Diaspora has been applauded and critically acclaimed in several studies for being the "best-organized diasporic community in Europe." As a result of labor migration, political turmoil, and conflicts in Iran, Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, many Kurds have dispersed throughout Europe and beyond. Today, it's undeniably not surprising that the Kurdish Diaspora has adopted different approaches and strategies to raise their collective voice in Europe. It is to raise awareness to attract attention to the European governments, politicians, civic groups, and the global audience as part of their struggle to be recognized ethnically and culturally as "Kurds."

History reminds us that for more than sixty years, the Kurds of all four parts of Kurdistan have been subjected to massacres, genocides, assimilation, and all forms of injustice, all in the name of global politics. Until today, the Kurds continue to experience injustices and oppression from the invaders of Kurdistan. This multiplies the increase of Kurds fleeing their homeland to live abroad to protect their lives. They were able to form and establish a community overseas to develop their national issues, protect their identity, and settle in those countries; civic groups and organizations were established. In the European countries where they reside, Kurds maintain and reconstruct their Kurdish identity and use every opportunity available in their new host countries to mobilize their movement. According to the increasing Kurdish society in the Diaspora, the need to establish federations, organizations, and different political, social, educational, and cultural centers has increased over the recent years. To have an umbrella organization representing all of Kurdistan in the Diaspora and a foundation for collecting the strengths and capabilities of Kurdish society in the Diaspora is a historical need and a national duty.

The crucial need mentioned above has challenged the Diakurd to establish its foundation to be committed to strengthening national values by protecting its economic, political, and organizational independence, to be the trust of all Kurdistan and Kurdish people. Therefore, during the past four years, with the vigorous participation of several Kurdish federations in different countries, preparations were needed to establish the Kurdish Confederation of Diaspora. Henceforth, the constitution of Diakurd has been created and confirmed with the goal of the Kurdish Confederation of Diaspora broken down into three main points:

*Developing cooperation among Kurdish organizations and leading the civil society of the Kurdish Diaspora.

*Strengthening the integration and relations of the Kurdish Diaspora with other countries and nations.

*Supporting the interests of the Kurdish nation and the rights of the fate of the Kurds nation.

Diakurd relations respect the will and superiority of the Kurdish Diaspora. To achieve the above objectives and aspirations of the Diakurd culture, there's a need to elect a body of committees with board members, officers, the council of advisors, and the committee of the Kurdish Diaspora. Diakurd is an independent civil and social organization of the nation that respects the struggle and activities of all of Kurdistan. It does not consider itself a competitor or an alternative of any organization. Diakurd is the home of the Kurdistan diaspora, which was organized to achieve shared national goals, achievements, and values. The convention ended with the election of committee members and officers for two years. A full-term to render service. Congratulations to: Adnan Axacan, Chairperson

Welat Nehri, Secretary

Lilan Mele Abdullah, Financial manager

Nujin Alacabek, Board member

Keya Izol, Board member,

Roj Khalaf, Board member

Adnan Muxtar, Board member

Mehmet Tanriverdi, Board member

Vice members: Hiwa Shwani and Şevki Ozkan

Written and Photographs by Freda Changat (Fargo Bcn)