Kurdish National Platform says self-determination is a legitimate right

• The Kurdish National Platform declares self-determination a legitimate right under international law.
• The platform calls for political, legal, and administrative status for the Kurdish people.
• Recognition of Kurdish as an official language is presented as a core collective right.
• The declaration emphasizes legal, democratic, and non-violent political struggle.
• Freedom of belief, expression, and political participation is highlighted as a fundamental principle.
  

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The Kurdish National Platform announced its founding declaration following a two-day conference in Diyarbakır attended by representatives from political parties, civil society organizations, intellectuals, and legal experts.According to the statement, the platform’s main objective is to support the Kurdish people in obtaining recognized status and securing collective rights derived from being a “nation.” The declaration described demands such as political, geographical, administrative, and legal status for Kurds, as well as the recognition of Kurdish as an official language, as requirements of natural and international law.The platform stated that the Kurdish people’s right to self-determination should be considered legitimate and emphasized the need for recognition of collective political and cultural rights.

The Minimum Political Principles agreed upon by the components and participants forming the Kurdish National Platform:

1. 1. Our main objective is to serve the Kurdish nation in gaining a recognized status. Collective rights demands arising from being a “nation” for Kurds — such as political, geographical, administrative, and legal status, and the recognition of Kurdish as an official language — are requirements of natural and international law. Within the framework of the “Right of Nations to Self-Determination,” we defend that it is the most natural and legal right of Kurds to demand any form of status through legitimate and legal means. The nature of this status will be determined by the free will of the Kurdish nation itself.
   2. In our political struggle, we will base our approach on legitimacy, transparency, and legal and civil politics. Our main references are natural law, universal human rights, and international legal texts.
   3. Under current conditions, we do not consider violence a legitimate means in the struggle for rights in Northern Kurdistan and we do not find it appropriate. Therefore, we view the laying down of arms in Northern Kurdistan as a positive development for our people and our geography.
   4. Our platform considers the entire history of Kurdish political struggle as its own history. We regard all positive experiences throughout history as sources of inspiration, values, and achievements, and we view negative experiences as lessons to be learned.
   5. Freedom of thought, expression, and belief — including the right not to believe — is fundamental within the platform. As long as they do not involve or promote violence, no one’s right to live, express, disseminate, or organize around their beliefs and ideas can be restricted. We consider all beliefs and belief groups an equally valuable richness of our people and culture. We maintain equal distance from all beliefs. Just as we strongly oppose the exploitation or instrumentalization of religion, we equally oppose hostility directed at religious values and beliefs.
   6. We categorically reject all forms of political tutelage. Therefore, the platform is not a continuation or extension of any group or political structure. No group, formation, party, or ideology within the platform can impose dominance, exclusion, or marginalization over others. Equality and the principle of fraternity are fundamental within the platform.
   7. Debate and criticism are essential methodological principles in politics. Everyone has the right to freely express their views, opinions, and convictions without pressure, provided that they do not resort to insults.
   8. Being a movement centered on the struggle for the collective rights of Kurds does not prevent us from building partnerships, solidarity, and alliances with different peoples, minorities, and groups in the region. We remain open to cooperation with individuals and groups that do not adopt positions against the legitimate rights and freedoms of Kurds and that do not support assimilationist and monist systems threatening social peace.
   9. We will not base our politics on opposition to any person or group, nor define ourselves through hostility toward others. Our policies will not be built upon the shortcomings of others. We will present ourselves and our national-oriented political vision directly to the public. We will not become a center that consolidates opposition merely defined by being against other formations.
   10. Our platform considers efforts to ensure the broadest possible Kurdish national unity as a fundamental national strategy and will continue working toward this goal in the future. Therefore, in our relations with all Kurdistani parties and groups not represented within the platform, we will adhere to the principle of fraternity. In all political discourse and relations, we will act in accordance with minimum ethical values, political courtesy, and the law.
   11. The language of our politics will avoid insults and humiliation, will not marginalize or exclude, and will not incite hostility or violence. Criticism directed toward different political groups, especially Kurdish parties and organizations, will be constructive and solution-oriented.
   12. The main agenda and reason for existence of our politics is to ensure the attainment of the legitimate national rights of the Kurdish nation through democratic mechanisms. Therefore, the structure we form will not prioritize secondary issues or daily political debates over this core objective, nor waste the political energy and experience of our people. The historical and national suffering and problems of the Kurdish people must not be exploited by other parties or groups for their own interests, nor should Kurds be instrumentalized for such purposes.
   13. The primary field of our political work is Northern Kurdistan and all of Turkey. However, throughout all parts of Kurdistan where Kurdish people live, we will develop legitimate relations within the framework of “National Unity” with Kurdish individuals, parties, and organizations struggling for Kurdish rights. These relations will be based on equality, transparency, and legality.