On the Anniversary of the Referendum: A Message from the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation Delivered to the Düsseldorf Parliament
As part of a broad diplomatic initiative by the Kurdish diaspora across global capitals and major cities, marking the 9th anniversary of the Kurdistan Region’s Independence Referendum, a delegation from the Kurdish community in Germany delivered an official message from the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation to the Düsseldorf Parliament, where they received a warm welcome.
During the visit, the Kurdistani diaspora delegation was officially received by parliamentary officials. The delegation detailed the historical, humanitarian, and political dimensions of the referendum process and explained the deep significance of this anniversary. Furthermore, they handed the official message of the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation to the parliamentary presidency. The message emphasized that the voting process on September 25, 2017, was a free and entirely democratic expression of the true will of an oppressed people seeking their rightful independence.
Another section of the message highlighted the immense sacrifices and profound suffering of the people of Kurdistan during the darkest chapters of history, including the Anfal campaigns, the chemical bombardment of Halabja, and the genocide of the Barzanis. Alongside this, the message highly praised the heroic role of the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces, who served as a formidable shield in defeating ISIS terrorists and defending humanity. The delegation’s message urged the international community and global parliaments to respect the legitimate decision and voice of the people of Kurdistan, and to support their right to self-determination.
On September 25, 2017, the people of Kurdistan—both within the Kurdistan Region and in the Kurdistani areas outside the Region’s administration—participated in a general referendum, with over 92 percent of voters casting a “Yes” ballot for independence. Marking the 9th anniversary of this historic process, the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation has launched a coordinated diplomatic campaign across several European countries and international hubs, aiming to formally deliver the voice of their people to global decision-making centers.