The Kurdish Question and International Relations
Sarbast Tawfiq
Compte d’auteur
The emergence and formation of a nation1 does not always co-exist with nation forming factors, but also with their operation in different times. Thus, the emergence of one, or several of these factors may, and often does turn into a prerequisite which accelerates the emergence of other a prerequisite which accelerates the emergence of other factors, and hence, the formation and further rise of the nation
The emergence of the nation in developing countries is characterized by several specific features. National self-consciousness arises in an early period and its foundation is different from the general scheme of the nation. National liberation ...
Table of Contents
Forward / 1
Chapter 1: Formation of the Kurdish Nation / 3
Chapter 2: Origins of the Kurdisc Question / 10
Chapter 2: The Kurdish Question and the Twentieth
(Supplement) Century / 16
Chapter 3: The Kurdish Question in International Relations and Treaties / 23
Chapter 4: The Kurdish Question and Prospects / 40
Chapter 5: What Does the Right to Self - Determination. Mean for the Kurds? / 69
Chapter 6: The Right to Self - Determination of the Kurds and
Opportunities for its Realization / 80
Chapter 7: Forms of Realization and Imptemenation of the
Right to Self Determination / 99
Chapter 8: Conclusion / 125
FORWARD
One of the major questions forwarded by the new political thinking is the national question. It is one of the most topical questions of our time.
The intensified national feeling of the oppressed peoples, the inconsistent measures undertaken to settle the problems conflicts in certain regions of the world are evidence of the significance and complexity of the national question.
These are the reasons why, whomsoever wants to solve the problem should approach it in a very cautious and delicate way because, as Mikhail Gorbachev puts it even the finest mistake in solving the national question shall have fatal and incorrigible consequences.”
The Kurdish people is one of the most slighted peoples of the world. I am stating this not because of subjective patriotic partiality, but as a person who has witnessed the sorry plight and existence of these 25 million strong nations, separated by four states, (has been) reduced to Helplessness, deprived of national life, culture and history.
Many things could be said of this people - about the injustice and terror, about exodus and assimilation, about depersonalization and genocide.
My aim in writing this book is different, however. As a jurist’ I would like to draw the attention of the world public and first of all of the Kurdish intellectuals (who bear the responsibility of posing, internationalizing and solving the Kurdish question) to certain points of the juridical and international legal and constituonal settlement of the Kurdish question.
This would mean, on the one hand, drawing the attention of the most authoritative international organizations and seeking their active interference, and on the other - reaching the most just and egalitarian internal legal-constitutional settlement of the problems.
Until the present, realities have not been in favor of the Kurdish people. The Kurdish question has not been tackled in any U.N. resolution. In the respective states’ constitutions it is mentioned as a tribe, a minority, and ethnical community.
It is these specific facts that have made me turn my attention to the problem. It is my personal opinion, and moreover, would realities necessitate it as a main, leading principle, the equality of individuals and peoples and their right to self-determination.
An individual cannot be free if his people are under foreign domination. Individual human rights cannot be recognized if the nation’s rights aren’t. Any other interpretation of the problem would be temporary and short lived and would not solve the problem but will rather postpone it until the moment it will emerge in a more acute and conflicting form.
Keeping in mind the complexity and the „newness” of the topic, I would like to ask the reader’s condescension to certain shortcomings in the expose and would highly appreciate any criticism because, as the Ancient said: „Truth arises in dispute”.
I would like to thank Professor Georgy Stefanov and Prominent expert on International law N. Mikhailov for their useful advice and consultation.
Sarbast Tawfig
Sofia, September 1989
Chapter One
Formation of the Kurdish Nation
The emergence and formation of a nation1 does not always co-exist with nation forming factors, but also with their operation in different times. Thus, the emergence of one, or several of these factors may, and often does turn into a prerequisite which accelerates the emergence of other a prerequisite which accelerates the emergence of other factors, and hence, the formation and further rise of the nation.
The emergence of the nation in developing countries is characterized by several specific features. National self-consciousness arises in an early period and its foundation is different from the general scheme of the nation. National liberation movements can be considered to be the revolutionary struggle of already forming national communities. There is no doubt whatsoever of the national form of this movement. National consolidation is one of the most up-to-date manifestations of this revolutionary movement. However, there are many cases in which tribal organization is still preserved in one form or another. Community form is neither a tribal union or nationality; it is mainly a nation. National liberation struggles in the 1950s and 1960s gave a new impetus to national consolidation processes. It is interesting to note that at this time, the direction of socioeconomic development was not quite clear yet. The process of formation and growth of the nation is very specific and cannot be compared to any prior precedents.
That is why it is not economic, but rather cultural factors which have guiding roles in the consolidation processes. An important…
Sarbast Tawfiq
The Kurdish Question and International Relations:
Prospects and Perspectives
Compte d’auteur
Compte d’auteur
The Kurdish Question and International Relations:
Prospects and Perspectives
By Sarbast Tawfiq, J.D.
Sofia
September 1989
