Kurdistan Parliament Warns of “Demographic Change” in Syrian Kurdistan

The parliament of Kurdistan Region held an extraordinary session on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing crisis in Syrian Kurdistan as the result of the Turkish offensive, warning of a possible demographic change under the current circumstances.

Lawmakers voted on a declaration by a very large majority - 96 out of 97 present MPs - to urge the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and presidency to step up the efforts to bring back peace to the region through all diplomatic channels with the help of the international community.

The parliament, after discussing the suggestions made by each political faction at the legislative, decided on the following points:

1) [Kurdistan Parliament] is against war and calls on world powers to stop the military operations, intervene immediately, open a dialogue to bring about peace.

2) Demands that military forces’ withdraw immediately, civilians’ lives and properties must be saved and protected.

3) Asks international community, the United Nations, the European Union, and regional organizations, to make more political and dialogue efforts to stop the military campaign which undermines world peace and security.

4) Demands the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), together with international organizations to prepare to support refugees fleeing the military attacks in Rojava [Syrian Kurdistan].

5) Calls on Kurdistan Region Presidency to work with the Iraqi Federal Government, Kurdistan political parties and diplomatic channels to help bring peace.

6) The Iraqi Federal Government must devote financing to the KRG for influx of refugees. The KRG already has great challenges beyond means with huge numbers of IDPs and refugees.

7) Asks consulates and diplomats in the Kurdistan Region

to convey KRG’s demand that countries do utmost to stop military operations, prevent more loss of life, support refugees.

8) MPs and people of Kurdistan Region as national duty with local and international NGOs will welcome refugees from Rojava, Syria.

9) Kurdistan Region Parliament is extremely concerned that the demographic change, human rights abuses and destruction of homes perpetrated previously in Afrin will be repeated this time in Sare Kaniye, Gre Spi, Kobane, and other areas in Rojava. This must be prevented.

10) Kurds and other components in Syria have a natural democratic legal entitlement to secure their national rights, equality and justice within the framework of the diplomatic efforts to resolve Syria’s crisis in Geneva and Astana and through UN decisions, and under a new Syrian Constitution.

11) Kurdistan Parliament asks all Kurdish forces in Rojava to turn their backs on narrow party politics and ideologies, to enter new era of cooperation for greater interests of Kurdistani people in Rojava on foundations of peace, democracy, coexistence, and standing against terrorism; to start a new chapter.

12) Military attacks against Rojava, and international Coalition’s withdrawal threatens global and regional stability, peace and security; strengthens ISIS [Islamic State], undermines and reverses international efforts to defeat ISIS.