www.kcdme.com
Kurdistan Center
for Democracy in the Middle East
Khoyboun Flag
About us
KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE
Election Pledges
“Giving the decision-
the people of Kurdistan”
Drafted by:
Dr Rebwar Fatah
Ayoub Barzani
Dr Hussein Tahiri
Dr Rashid Karadaghi
Table of Content
1 Preamble
2 Why Kurdistan Democratic Alliance?
3 The nature of the Kurdistan Democratic Alliance
4 Strengthen the Kurdistani aspect of the Kurdish issue
5 The vision of Kurdistan Democratic Alliance
6 Issues facing election in Kurdistan
7 The election pledges of Kurdistan Democratic Alliance
7.1 The right to self determination
7.2 Constitution of Kurdistan
7.3 The form of Kurdistan parliament and government
7.4 Relationship with central government
7.5 Separations of powers
7.6 Separation of religion from politics
7.7 Historical geographical rights of Kurdistan
7.8 Political accountability & transparency
7.9 Elimination of corruption in the government
7.10 Kurdish inner conflicts
7.11 Internationalization of Kurdish issue
7.12 Regional and International policies
7.13 Anti-
7.14 Civil society and the rule of law
7.15 Human rights law
7.16 Women's issues
7.17 Children's issues
7.18 Education system and school curriculum
7.19 Environmental polices
7.20 Kurdistan’s heritage, natural resources and historical places
7.21 Crimes against humanity, including the Genocide of the Kurds
7.22 Victims of Anfal, Halabja, the missing Failis and Barzanis
7.23 Arabisation policy and Kerkuk
7.24 Faili Kurds
7.25 Yezidis
7.26 Revival and promotion of other Kurdish groups and religions
7.27 Compensation for those who suffered or disappeared under Iraqi regimes
7.28 The trial of Saddam and his circle
7.29 Revival and promotion of other Kurdish ethnic groups and religions
7.30 Other ethnic and religious Kurdistani groups
7.31 Partnership with Kurdistani socio-
7.32 The Kurds of the Diaspora
7.33 Improving the standard of living
7.34 Develop Kurdistan's economy
7.35 Support for free media
7.36 Kurdish culture, language and arts
8 How the Alliance works to implement these pledges
9 The Alliance signatories
1 Preamble
1. This is a proposal to form the Kurdistan Democratic Alliance (which shall hereafter be called the Alliance) in order to embrace the emerging Kurdish political demands of the new era for which the dominant political parties in Kurdistan lack modern vision and effective approach to fulfil and to take full advantage of the current and future opportunities for the benefit of the Kurdish nation. Once, established as an emerging democratic force, the Alliance will take part in the next parliamentary and municipal elections in South Kurdistan.
2. This document provides information on the nature of the Alliance, and its pledge to the people of Kurdistan and to the international community.
3. Kurdish people have never had an opportunity to decide their own future at their own free will. This is largely due to the negation of the Allies’ promises during and after the World War I. Sighting Wilson’s Principles for the right of self-
4. During this painful phase of Kurdish history, massacres and genocide were committed against the Kurdish people. Yet the oppressors of the Kurds continue to ignore and deny the massacres and genocide against the Kurdish people. Hence, a revision of our demands is an imperative task, which concerns our future and the future of our children and grand children.
5. In many resects, the position of Kurdistan Democratic Alliance underlines fundamental differences with the position of the dominant Kurdish political parties who seek to live within the current borders and are content with limited rights for the Kurdish people. We believe that the Kurdish people should determine their own fate on their own free will and without any intimidation. “Self-
6. Therefore, we, as a group of Kurds and their friends, have proposed these pledges for the Kurdish people as an agenda in order to take part in the forthcoming elections in South Kurdistan. We disagree with the way that the election is proposed to be conducted. We believe it is against the principles of free and fair elections if Kurds in other parts of South Kurdistan, which are outside the Kurdish administration, are not allowed to take part in Kurdistan’s election. This is contrary to the aspiration of the Kurds and the terms of Iraq’s interim constitution.
7. In proposing these pledges, it should not be assumed that we, the contributors of this document, have established a political party. The production of this document is rather stemming from our democratic and patriotic beliefs. In this document, we provide the Kurdish people, people of the region and the international community what we judge to be the real demands of the Kurdish people and how to pave the way for a democratic and stable Kurdistan, Iraq and the region. We firmly believe that Ignoring the real demands of the Kurdish people and the needs of the region for genuine democratic institutions will inevitability lead to the re-
2 Why Kurdistan Democratic Alliance?
8. We recognise the fact that for decades, the main Kurdish political parties have been struggling for Kurdish rights and they have played a very substantial role in the Kurdish national struggle.
9. However, the situation of Kurdistan has changed and a traditional approach to the Kurdish national struggle and nation building does not suffice any more. The Kurds in all parts of Kurdistan should be given the right to determine their own future without any political party or organization imposing its will on them or influencing their choice. In this respect, there are a substantial number of Kurds who believe that the people of Kurdistan should be allowed to determine their own future. They believe that the current Kurdish political parties and organizations do not represent their desire. The presence of Kurdistan Democratic Alliance in the political scene will strive to give the Kurds the democratic choice they aspire.
10. A substantial part of Kurdistan’s society and Kurdish community in Diaspora will be able to make a positive contribution to the democratic process in Kurdistan. However, they cannot work within the established traditional frameworks. This does not mean that they will work against the current establishment; nonetheless they have a different view, equally valid, to those of the other political parties. The Alliance shall act to absorb and utilize the socio-
11. There is a gap between the current political parties and the Kurdistani society. If it is not bridged by positively integrating these socio-
3 The nature of the Kurdistan Democratic Alliance
12. Kurdistan Democratic Alliance is an Alliance of Kurdish individuals and political, social and cultural organisations who seek a peaceful solution to the Kurdish grievances through a non-
13. The Alliance is vital for both the Kurds and also for the international community, as there is currently exist no other organisation working towards the Alliance’s objectives. The Alliance will support and work with any organisation that contributes to achieving any of its objectives and will attempt to build constructive partnerships with them.
14. The Alliance is distinct from other Kurdish organisations in that its primary focus is the promotion and development of the social, political, economic and cultural life of the Kurds. It intends to achieve Kurdish aspirations through a non-
15. This brings the Alliance into the international arena as it strives to achieve its objectives through a non-
4 Strengthen the Kurdistani aspect of the Kurdish issue
16. Alliance will endeavour to achieve self-
5 The vision of Kurdistan Democratic Alliance
17. The Kurdistan Democratic Alliance’s vision is to create a democratic civil society for Kurdistan. The Alliance’s top-
6 Issues facing election in Kurdistan
18. It is important to identify and debate the issues that occur in Kurdistan, which will have a direct effect on the elections in Kurdistan. No political party shall intimidate or harass the supporters of other political entities. All Kurdistani people should be able to freely cast their votes, without any outside pressure.
7 The election pledges of Kurdistan Democratic Alliance
19. The Kurdistan Democratic Alliance strives to achieve Kurdish self-
20. The Alliance will strive to abandon the current local and limited policies carried out by the Kurdish parties for one that envisions a policy for South Kurdistan as a whole, in order to better realize Kurdish aspirations for self-
21. The Alliance shall also strive to establish a democratic civil society and the rule of law in Kurdistan.
22. To achieve its objectives, the Alliance shall take part in the next municipal elections in South Kurdistan and the elections for the Kurdistan Federal Government.
23. Below are outlined the pledges of the Alliance after a successful election, wherein a Kurdistan Parliament and Kurdistan Government will be established.
7.1 The right to self determination
24. The right to self-
25. The constitutions of Kurdistan or Iraq shall give the Kurdistan people the right of self-
26. The Kurds shall determine their own future free from coercion and intimidation. The people of South Kurdistan should decide through a referendum if they want to remain as a part of Iraq.
27. The Iraqi government, regional states, and the international community, especially the United Nations, should respect the outcome of such a referendum.
28. Participation in any referendum on the status of South Kurdistan shall be exercised by the Kurds alone not all Iraqi people.
29. Should the Kurds decide not to remain within Iraq, the Alliance will support their decision and advocate on their behalf to the international community.
30. The Alliance shall draw a "Roadmap for the Kurdistan-
31. Alliance’s recognition of the right to referendum is the response to the latest campaign in which 1.7 million signatures in Kurdistan and another 48 thousand more by Diaspora Kurds has been collected.
32. Upon the successful outcome of the referendum, the Alliance shall put forward a "Roadmap for the devolution of Power in Kurdistan". The roadmap shall be discussed in the ‘then’ elected Kurdistan Parliament with the support of all the civil and democratic institutions.
7.2 Constitution of Kurdistan
33. Kurdistan Parliament should produce a specific constitution distinct from that of Iraq. It will clearly define all the roles and responsibilities of the government of Kurdistan.
7.3 The form of Kurdistan parliament and government
34. Kurdistan parliament shall comprise of two houses, the House of Representatives (Lower House) and the Senate (Upper House). The members of both houses shall be elected by the people of Kurdistan. The system of election shall be based on proportional representation (That is each political entity will represent by a number of MPs according to the percentage of votes they have gained in the election held in Kurdistan). Members of parliament shall be pre-
35. As long as it is proven to be a fair and a clean process, the Alliance shall respect the outcome of the Kurdistan general election.
36. The political parties’ armed forces should be dissolved and be replaced by Kurdistan armed forces.
37. Kurdistan Parliament may share some elements of the Iraqi Penal Code but will establish its own laws and regulations.
38. Diaspora Kurds shall participate in the elections and vote to elect the Kurdistan parliament.
39. There shall be only one parliament and one government in Kurdistan. Hence, the two Kurdish administrations of Arbil and Sulemani shall be united.
7.4 Relationship with central government
40. The federal constitution shall define Kurdistan’s relationship with the central government, including the mandate of the Kurdistan government. If there is a dispute between Kurdistan and the central government on the mandate, Kurdistan parliament, or if necessary a referendum in Kurdistan will determine the final stand of the Kurds in the dispute.
7.5 Separations of powers
41. The judicial, legislative and executive powers shall be separate and independent of each other. Their independence should be enshrined into Kurdistan’s constitution.
7.6 Separation of religion from politics
42. The Alliance shall separate religion from politics. The private and sacred nature of the relationship between man and God and the holiness of religions shall be safeguarded by separating religion from the political realm and the influences of power, position, finance and politics.
43. The current ‘Ministry of Awqaf’, is specific to Islam. In order to deal with all the religions faiths, it shall be renamed to the "Ministry of Religious Affairs". The Alliance in the parliament shall encourage all the sections of the society to register in order to be protected by law.
44. The religious figures shall not be pressured to involve in politics, for example to defend individuals or political parties. Any religious groups shall only be a civil group, not a political one, and shall be subject to legal laws and procedures.
7.7 Historical geographical rights of Kurdistan
45. Kurdistan is a unitary geographical land in its entirety which includes all parts of historical Kurdistan. Kirkuk is an integral part of Kurdistan. Kurdistan has been forcibly divided by the imperial powers and the states ruling over Kurdistan without any consultation with the Kurdistan people. The only just solution to the Kurdish question is that they should be allowed to have their say and decide their future and the status of Kurdistan.
46. The map of Kurdistan shall be designed and the areas that form south Kurdistan shall be identified. This shall be submitted to the UN and the international community for recognition and protection.
7.8 Political accountability & transparency
47. A Kurdistan Democratic Alliance will contribute Kurdistan elections with a clear vision and a doable mission. It will strive to achieve its expressed promises to the people of Kurdistan. Also, it will hold elected Kurdish political parties accountable to their pre-
48. Politicians, public officials and the members of the Kurdistan parliament and the government shall adhere to a code of conduct, designed and passed by Kurdistan parliament.
49. Establishment and operations of all the political parties shall be defined by law and be based on transparency and accountability.
50. All political parties shall be required to declare their assets, resources and the sources of their funds. No political party shall get financial or military support from any power that is hostile to the Kurds and bent on harming their national interests.
7.9 Elimination of corruption in the government
51. The Alliance shall endeavour to eliminate corruption and nepotisms at all levels of governmental and non-
7.10 Kurdish inner conflicts
52. Any disagreements between Kurdish political entities should be resolved through peaceful means. The alliance shall condemn violence to resolve such conflicts.
53. A parliamentary "Truth and Reconciliation Committee" shall be established to reconcile Kurdish political organisations that are involved in fratricidal conflicts.
7.11 Internationalisation of Kurdish issue
54. The Alliance shall work towards a UN resolution on the Kurdish issue. A resourceful selected committee shall be responsible for advocating this issue.
55. The Alliance shall work with the Kurds of divided parts of Kurdistan to establish an international Kurdistani policy.
56. The Alliance shall establish a relationship with democratic parliaments, bodies and governments around the world.
57. The Alliance shall strive to become a signatory to all the international laws, charters, decisions and norms relating to human rights, women, and children issues.
58. The Alliance shall work to represent the Kurdish people in the UN.
59. The Alliance shall establish an international think-tank to develop a Kurdistan strategic position in the international arena and to combat distortion and manipulation of facts and issues related to Kurds and Kurdistan.
7.12 Regional and International policies
60. The Alliance shall work with legitimate international forces to establish peace and stability in the world.
61. The regional policy of the Alliance shall be built on the basis of mutual respect and benefits. The Alliance shall not allow regional powers to undermine the legitimate rights of the Kurds on their homeland ‘Kurdistan’.
7.13 Anti-
62. The Alliance rejects using terrorism for political or any other purpose. The Alliance shall work with legitimate international forces to eliminate terror and terrorism in Kurdistan, in the region and globally.
7.14 Civil society and the rule of law
63. Civil Establishment of civil societies is a sign of the presence of adoptable and tolerant societies. In such a society individuals, groups and institutions are encouraged to participate in public life and the building of democratic institutions. A Kurdistan Democratic Alliance will endeavour to establish civil society in Kurdistan to operate free from bureaucratic restrictions. It will encourage proliferation and support of all forms of benevolent and democratically spirited non-governmental organisations.
64. Contribution of media and free speech is critical to enhance civil societies. Access to information is a necessary prerequisite for a healthy and informed society. Kurdistan Democratic Alliance will adopt and vigorously defend the democratic principle of freedom of expression throughout Kurdistan and beyond.
65. The Alliance shall enhance local democracy by embracing elections of the local government, and supporting local organisations.
66. The Alliance shall facilitate the establishment of such organisations, by providing support. Government annual grants shall be made to enhance the aspects of the civil society and the rule of law. Also, it shall seek the support of the international community in this regard.
67. Kurdistan judicial system shall act in accordance with the international laws, conventions and treaties.
7.15 Human rights laws
68. The Alliance shall abide by all the provisions of EU’s Human Rights Laws and UN Charters. Also, it shall harmonize Kurdistan’s laws with such EU laws in all the applicable areas.
69. The Alliance shall form partnerships with and seek the support of the various human rights organisations and democratic parliaments to exchange information and assist in implementing human right’s laws.
70. A human rights committee shall be formed of interested parliamentarians in the Kurdistan Parliament. In addition, a human rights organisation with branches in different parts of Kurdistan shall be established to monitor the human rights situation and promote respect for human rights.
7.16 Women's issues
71. Women form more than half of the population of Kurdistan. They shall be treated equal to men in all the social, political, and economical domains of Kurdistan society’s life.
72. The Alliance shall cooperate with local and international women’s groups to establish policies relating to women in Kurdistan.
73. Kurdistan’s laws shall safeguard the equality of genders in all the aspects of life. The current laws, which tolerate discrimination against women, shall be abolished.
74. Kurdistan educational institutions shall target the plight of high-rate illiteracy amongst women. Short, medium and long-term plans shall be designed to deal with this critical issue.
75. Women shall be encouraged to participate in all the relevant functions of society. They shall have fair levels of representation in Kurdistan’s parliament and government. A proportional percentage (to be defined by law) of Kurdistan’s women shall be given equal opportunity to service in public and private sectors free from all forms of discriminatory obstacles.
76. Women shall not be subjected to any form of violence or discrimination.
7.17 Children's issues
77. Children are the future of the society. The Alliance shall work to improve the health, development, learning and the wellbeing of all the children of Kurdistan.
78. The Alliance shall work towards the protection of children’s rights, ending child poverty and promoting policies that ensure their development.
7.18 Education system and school curriculum
79. Education shall be free for all and at all levels.
80. Education shall be compulsory until the age of 16.
81. The Alliance shall review the school curriculum in Kurdistan in order to ensure it recognizes the importance of a well-rounded education and it is in total harmony with the socio-cultural reality of the Kurdistan society.
82. The objective of each stage of the education, i.e. the elementary, high school and university levels shall be defined by law and proposed by professional bodies with proper relevancies.
83. Links shall be established with other universities ‘both within and outside Kurdistan’ for academic exchanges.
84. The Kurdistan administration shall provide funds for the students who wish to study abroad and encourage students from other countries to study in Kurdistan.
85. Illiteracy among the Kurdish population should be reduced to match that of the highly developed societies.
86. Human rights values should be reflected in the education curriculum.
87. Conflicting political wrangling shall not be allowed to have any negative bearing on the education system in Kurdistan.
7.19 Environmental polices
88. The Alliance shall develop, implement and support sustainable environmental policies and regulations that aim at minimizing pollution levels and the risk of short and long terms damage to the living habitat in Kurdistan.
89. Animal and bird hunting shall be regulated by law. Vital green zones shall be identified and protected by law. National parks shall be developed to preserve rare and endangered species of Kurdistan.
90. The Alliance shall seek the support and partnership of green and environmental organisations around the world, in particular those of Europe and North America.
7.20 Kurdistan’s heritage, natural resources and historical places
91. Kurdistan’s heritage, natural resources and historical places shall be protected. This shall include rare species in Kurdistan, natural woodlands and forests. Local museums shall be established to preserve movable historic and archaeological objects that are specific to Kurdistan.
92. Records of valuable national assets shall be developed and protected by law. It may include woodlands and forests, historical places and properties.
93. Kurdistan shall be de-mined and cleaned up from contamination and/or hazardous materials Kurdistan was afflicted with in the process of vicious and destructive wars being waged against the Kurds and their living habitat.
94. Public awareness shall be increased concerning the need of a clean environmental and the protection of national heritage, via education systems, media and other information outlets.
7.21 Crimes against humanity, including the Genocide of the Kurds
95. The Alliance shall endeavour to pass a resolution in Kurdistan Federal Parliament on physical and cultural genocide of the Kurds.
96. The Alliance shall endeavour to have the United Nations, EU Parliament, Arab Leagues, and international Islamic organisations to recognise the past and present attempts of physical and cultural genocide of the Kurds.
7.22 Victims of Anfal, Halabja, the missing Failis and Barzanis
97. The Alliance shall work to find the mass and individual graves of the missing victims. It will utilize modern technology to establish each victim’s identity. It will work to ensure that the bodies are brought back to Kurdistan and are buried in accordance with the local customs.
98. The Alliance shall establish and record all the facts surrounding their ordeals. To achieve this objective the Alliance shall seek the cooperation of the international organisations.
99. The Alliance shall work to establish a museum to commemorate these victims while publicize the brutal nature of their killers.
100. The relatives of the victims and the eyewitnesses shall be encouraged to give evidence about the victims.
7.23 Arabisation policy and Kerkuk
101. The Alliance believes that Arabisation of Kurdistan must be reversed. The Kurds who have been forced out of their homes must be allowed to return to their homes and be fully compensated for their ordeals.
102. The Alliance also believes that the Arabs who have been settled in Kurdistan by the successive Iraqi governments ‘to change the demography of Kurdistan’ must be returned to their original places and be given a proper compensation and support in their resettlement.
103. The Alliance shall reject the so-called ’special status of Kerkuk’. Kerkuk has been and will stay an integral part of Kurdistan.
104. A plan for the gradual and orderly return of the displaced civilians shall be drawn up and implemented under the UN supervision, if possible.
105. Establish a commission to address matters relating to the return of the former residents of Kirkuk, including the control of population flow, the clearance of land mines, and the prevention of inter-ethnic strife.
7.24 Faili Kurds
106. The The Alliance shall put forth a program for the revival and legal protection of the cultural and religious aspects of the Faili Kurds. The Faili Kurds themselves are to be involved in defining their rights and legitimising any law relevant to them.
107. The Faili dialect of Kurdish language shall be developed in both oral and written forms.
108. A special commission shall be established to study the history, art, culture, religion, and dialect of the Faili Kurds.
7.25 Yezidi Kurds
109. The The Alliance regards Yezidism as one of the Kurds ancient religions. It shall set a program for the revival of the Yezidi culture, religion and customs of Yezidis. Their rights shall be defined and protected legally. The Yezidis themselves shall become involved in defining their rights and legitimising any law relevant to them.
110. Yezidis’ historic sights shall be listed as part of Kurdistan’s national heritage and shall be protected by law from defamation or destruction.
111. A special commission shall be established to study the history, art, culture, religion, and dialect of the Yezidi Kurds.
7.26 Revival and promotion of other Kurdish groups and religions
112. The Alliance shall design a program for the revival of the culture, religion, customs of all other Kurdish ancient religious and cultural groups, including Shabaks, Christians, Jewish, Neqishbandi, Qadiri, Ahli Haqq, Zoroastrian, Kakayi, Aliquli, Heqay, Khurshidi, Razayy Kurds. Heritage and cultural diversity shall be institutionalized in Kurdistan on the basis of equal opportunity in the practices of the right of freedom of expression.
113. A special ministry (e.g. Culture and Heritage ministry) shall be established to undertake this task.
7.27 Compensation for those who suffered or disappeared under Iraqi regimes
114. The Alliance shall seek compensation for the victims of Halabja, Anfal and all those who were unjustly imprisoned and tortured under subsequent Iraqi regimes. Necessary funds shall be provided for by Iraq’s central government.
7.28 The trial of Saddam and his circle
115. Saddam and his regime collaborators with criminal record shall be tried for the hideous atrocities they committed against the Kurds and Kurdistanis. Such a trial must be independent from that of the rest of Iraqis.
116. The trial’s objective shall be to reveal the crimes of Saddam Hussein and his regime against the Kurds and other citizens of Kurdistan.
117. The trial shall seek to reveal Saddam’s regime’s links with international, regional and local accomplices.
118. A voluntary "Truth and Reconciliation Committee" shall be established to reveal the truth for crimes committed against the Kurds by the successive Iraqi governments, particularly Baathists. These crimes include the Kurdish genocide of Anfal, Halabja, Arabisation, deportation, discrimination, mass executions, destruction of Kurdish heritage, livelihood, culture, languages, religion, properties, villages and towns, and many other atrocities.
119. A special ministry shall be established to undertake this task.
7.29 Revival and promotion of other Kurdish ethnic groups and religions
120. The Alliance shall work to revive the Kurdistani ethnic and religious groups, such as Kakayi, Aliquli, Heqay, Khurshidi, Mama Razayy, etc. This shall be defined by law, in which the groups will have substantial input.
121. A special ministry shall be established to undertake this task.
7.30 Other ethnic and religious Kurdistani groups
122. The Alliance shall work to have the culture, language and religion of all Kurdistani ethnic and religious groups, such as Turkmens, Christians, Assyrians, Chaldeans be respected and legally protected. These groups themselves shall be active participants in defining their rights and legalizing any relevant and applicable law.
7.31 Partnership with Kurdistani socio-
123. The Alliance will work and establish partnerships with all Kurdish political parties, organizations, social and cultural entities who contribute to the good of the Kurdish society and Kurdish national struggle.
124. The Alliance will also establish a close dialogue and communication with the Kurds from other parts of Kurdistan to develop and enhance unity among the Kurds..
7.32 The Kurds of the Diaspora
125. The Kurds in Diaspora form an important section of Kurdish society. They have contributed to Kurdish national struggle, social, cultural and intellectual life of Kurdish people. A significant number of them have high skills in different areas such as medicine, science, information technology and human resources. The Kurdistan Federal Government shall encourage them to return to Kurdistan to contribute to the building of Kurdish society and support them in their settlement in Kurdistan.
7.33 Improving the standard of living
126. A Kurdistan Democratic Alliance will work to improve the living conditions in Kurdistan. It will build Kurdistan’s infrastructure and develop the economic and social life of Kurdistan’s people. The Alliance believes that all people of Kurdistan should have access to free education, health care and social security. It is the duty of the Kurdistan Federal Government to provide the minimum standard of living for all people of Kurdistan.
7.34 Develop Kurdistan's economy
127. The Alliance shall put forth an extensive program to revive the economy of Kurdistan. This shall be defined by law and established by relevant professional groups.
7.35 Support for free media
128. While government funded national media such as TV channels can exist, such media shall be independent of the government and the law shall guarantee its independence. In no time shall the government have the right to coerce any media entity to advertise and/or promote its agenda.
129. The media shall be free and unbiased.
130. Media shall be regulated by code of conduct; and not controlled by law.
7.36 Kurdish culture, language and arts
131. A ministry shall be established for this purpose.
132. A standard Kurdish language ‘adopting Latin alphabet in writing’ shall be developed. Such a language must be free from Arabic and Turkish words and enriched with modern vocabulary from the Indo-European languages most spoken internationally and used in science, technology and commerce.
133. Kurdish culture, language and arts shall be developed and supported by the Kurdistan Federal Government. Government institutions willing to promote the development of Kurdish culture, language and art shall be funded by the Kurdistan Federal Government.
134. Different Kurdish dialects are Kurdish cultural assets and a sign of the richness of Kurdish culture. They shall be supported and encouraged to develop.
8 How the Alliance works to implement these pledges
135. Members of the Alliance are in a voluntary union to achieve the pledges given here.
136. Alliance members can be individuals or organisations who enjoy ‘reasonably’ acceptable social and political standing.
137. Members of the Alliance are independent entities outside their commitments to Alliance principles. However, their actions must not undermine the objectives and/or the credibility of the Alliance.
138. Members of the Alliance, as well as concerned individuals are welcome to propose amendments to these preliminary pledges.
139. These pledges will be finalised via a democratic process.