| THE KURDS
© Minority Rights Group 1996
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 1 897693 46 X
ISSN 0305 6252
First report published June 1975
Revised sixth edition published September 1991
This revised and updated seventh edition Published December 1996
Typeset by Texture
Printed in the UK on bleach-free paper by MFP Design and Print
Acknowledgements
Minority Rights Group gratefully acknowledges the support
of NOVIB and all the organizations and individuals who gave
financial and other assistance for this report.
MINORITY RIGHTS GROUP
Minority Rights Group works to secure rights and justice for ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities. It is dedicated to the cause of cooperation and understanding between communities. Founded in the 1960s, MRG is a small international non-governmental organization that informs and warns governments, the international community, non-governmental organizations and the wider public about the situation of minorities around the world. This work is based on the publication of well-researched reports, books and papers; direct advocacy on behalf of minority rights in international fora; the development of a global network of like-minded organizations and minority communities to collaborate on these issues; and the challenging of prejudice and promotion of public understanding through information and education projects.
MRG believes that the best hope for a peaceful world lies in identifying and monitoring conflict between communities, advocating preventive measures to avoid the escalation of conflict and encouraging positive action to build trust between majority and minority communities. MRG has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and has a worldwide network of partners. Its international headquarters are in London. Legally it is registered both as a charity and as a limited company under the United Kingdom Law with an International Governing Council.
THE PROCESS
As part of its methodology, MRG conducts regional research, identifies issues and commissions reports based on its findings. Each author is carefully chosen and all scripts are read by no less than eight independent experts who are knowledgeable about the subject matter. These experts are drawn from the minorities about whom the reports are written, and from journalists, academics, researchers and other human rights agencies. Authors are asked to incorporate
comments made by these parties. In this way, MRG aims to publish accurate, authoritative, well-balanced reports.
David McDowall is a freelance writer and specialist on the Middle East. He is the author of MRG’s reports Lebanon: A Conflict of Minorities and The Palestinians; Palestine and Israel: The Uprising and Beyond, Tauris, 1989 and The Kurds: A Nation Denied, Minority Rights Publications, 1991. | 
