An Open Letter to the UN Secretary –General: On the Participation of the Kurdish Supreme Council in Geneva II Conference

Los Angles – January 8, 2014

To his Excellency Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon: I am writing this letter to you on behalf of the Kurdish Human Rights Advocacy Group (KHRAG) and various Kurdish Communities in Southern California to express our support for the participation of the Kurdish Supreme Council in the Geneva II conference, scheduled to take place on January, 22, 2014.

 We are encouraged by your persistent effort for an international response in the face of the insurmountable difficulties. Syrians are profoundly affected by a deep crisis that threatens to expand with even greater catastrophic regional and global consequences. As you are aware, the tragedy has also had very serious consequences for Kurds who have been discriminated against under the reign of Bashar al-Assad and now face an uncertain and bleak future. While they have been the targets of criminal attacks and threats of Islamists and Al Qaida linked groups on the one hand, Syrian opposition forces of all persuasions have adamantly refused to recognize their most fundamental human rights.

You have invited different nations and the Syrian coalition opposition representatives to partake in this important peace summit, it is only fair for the international community to recognize and invite the credible delegates of the Kurdish Supreme Council, which enjoys broad popular support. While the Syrian coalition forces continue to be divided, undecided, and even reluctant to attend the conference, the Kurdish Supreme Council like the rest of the world feels that the Geneva II can be a hopeful sign to end further descent of Syria into unprecedented brutalities, death, and destruction. We welcome the willingness and readiness of the Kurdish delegates to represent the Kurds of Syria. Obviously the conference will have a greater impact with the broadest participation if it is to address the legitimate grievances of all Syrians.

We urge you to use the moral authority and influence of your office to invite the Kurdish representatives to attend the conference with international delegations and other Syrian representatives. The great majority of Kurds in Syria have stressed the need for and reiterated their support for the Kurdish Supreme Council to represent them. The Council as an integral part of the diversity of Syria, can play a vital role both in ensuring lasting peace for Syria and representing Kurdish human rights concerns and demands in this important conference.

Cordially

Dr. Amir Sharifi

Kurdish Human Rights Advocacy Group-Los Angeles – Director