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-Terror policy
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-political forces
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.
