Kurdish freedom struggle

Policy background

The Socialist Alliance recognises the legitimate national aspirations of the Kurdish people, divided by the colonial powers at the end of World War I between four countries (Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran).

The struggle of the Kurdish and other communities in the liberated zone in northern Syria (Democratic Federal System of Northern Syria) is of enormous importance for the future of the Middle East. Their attempt to establish a society where all ethnicities and religions can live amicably and cooperatively side by side is profoundly progressive. So too are their efforts to establish a system of grassroots democracy, communal economy and empower women.

The Kurdish people in Turkey, who have suffered severe oppression since the inception of modern Turkey, are today facing renewed state terror. In Iran the Kurdish people endure heavy oppression and regime terror; some have sought asylum in Australia and ended up in the Manus and Nauru detention hellholes.

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the most widely supported Kurdish liberation organisation, is still on the West’s terror lists, including in Australia.

Socialist Alliance calls and campaigns for

• Solidarity with the Kurdish liberation struggle, especially the struggle to defend the liberated zone in northern Syria.
• The Australian government to remove the PKK from its terrorism list.