Deputy Speaker Dr. Hemin Hawrami's statement on anniversary of the 1991 Kurdish Uprising

March 5th is a symbolic and pivotal moment in the history of our nation. On this day the dream of eradicating the people of Kurdistan was thwarted, great hopes and dreams began and came a step closer to being fulfilled, and the brutal persecution by the Ba’ath regime ended.

The Uprising was a decisive stage that gave birth to Kurdistan’s political structure and led to the establishment of the pillars of government: the Parliament, Government and other institutions. Rights and freedoms were established and developed on the back of the Uprising, which showed everyone that the people of Kurdistan have a special history, identity, and culture, and that we have a strong will for self-determination and self-rule. The people of Kurdistan showed that if given the same opportunities as other nations, we will be a strong element in the peace and security of the entire region.

On the anniversary of Kurdistan’s Uprising, which succeeded through the unity of the Kurdish forces in the Kurdistan Front, today we stress the need for unity and solidarity among all the political forces and parties, so that we protect the rights of the component communities, our culture of peaceful coexistence, Kurdistan Region’s constitutional status and our legitimate constitutional and legal gains.

I hope that this special anniversary will give all political forces and parties the incentive to act more responsibly and protect the interests, rights and achievements of the Kurdistani people and Kurdistan Region’s legitimate and constitutional institutions.

I also hope that the political parties will reach a final agreement on amendments to the Election Law and start preparations for hold the Parliament elections this year, so that we reaffirm Kurdistan Region’s democracy to the people and to the international community.

My best wishes on the anniversary of our glorious Uprising to Ranya, Bitwen, Pshdar and all of Kurdistan.

Dr. Hemin Hawrami

Deputy Speaker of Kurdistan Parliament

5 March 2023