On Holocaust Remembrance Day, the National Center for Eastern Kurdistan (NNRK) honored Holocaust victims while highlighting the ongoing oppression of the Kurdish people in Iran, Turkey, and Syria.
NNRK drew parallels between the systemic repression Kurds face and the lessons of the Holocaust, emphasizing the need for vigilance against hatred and injustice. The statement condemned Iran's apartheid policies, Turkey's cultural erasure, and Syria's discriminatory practices, which collectively threaten Kurdish identity and survival.
Calling for global action, NNRK urged the international community to support Kurdish self-determination and rights. Recognizing and addressing Kurdish struggles, the statement emphasized, is essential for justice and preventing future atrocities.
(Source: Kurdistanhumanrights.org)
Below is the NNRK's statement:[1]
"Lessons From History And The Plight Of The Kurds
"On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we solemnly honor the memory of the millions of lives lost in the Holocaust during World War II. This day is a powerful reminder of the catastrophic consequences of hatred, indifference, and systemic violence. It is also a call to action to confront injustice, oppression, and genocide in all their forms.
"As we reflect on the lessons of the Holocaust, it is vital to recognize the ongoing oppression faced by the Kurdish people, the largest stateless nation in the world. The plight of the Kurds in Iran, Turkey, and Syria bears troubling similarities to the patterns of repression and destruction that have characterized genocides throughout history. Kurdish culture, language, and fundamental rights remain under constant threat, with systematic marginalization and violence continuing to define their reality.
"Systematic Repression Of The Kurds: Past And Present In Iran
"The Kurdish people in Iran have endured systemic apartheid and cultural erasure. Since 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini's decree of Jihad against the Kurds has fueled policies that threaten their very survival. Today, Kurds make up a disproportionate majority of political prisoners in Iran. The regime systematically suppresses Kurdish language and culture, depriving Kurds of the ability to fully express their identity and autonomy.
"In Turkey
"In Turkey, decades of policies aimed at erasing Kurdish identity have subjected the Kurds to severe oppression. Restrictions on the use of the Kurdish language, suppression of cultural expression, and military campaigns targeting Kurdish-populated areas highlight the Turkish government's discriminatory stance. Kurdish demands for political autonomy and cultural recognition continue to be criminalized, deepening the marginalization of the Kurdish people.
"In Syria
"In Syria, particularly in the Rojava region, Kurds have faced systemic discrimination under the Baath regime, coupled with more recent military invasions. The Kurds in Syria have had to fight for their survival amidst a backdrop of ongoing conflict, often manipulated as pawns in the power struggles of international actors. Their efforts to build a democratic and inclusive society in Rojava remain under constant threat.
"Lessons From The Holocaust And The Call For Action
"The Holocaust stands as a testament to humanity's failure to act against systemic oppression and genocide. It also serves as a stark warning: silence and inaction in the face of injustice enable atrocities to occur. For decades, the Kurdish people have been subjected to policies aimed at erasing their identity and denying their basic rights.
"The international community has a moral obligation to acknowledge the oppression faced by the Kurds and to take concrete steps to safeguard their cultural, political, and social self-determination. Recognizing and addressing the systemic marginalization of the Kurdish people is not only a matter of justice but also a crucial step in preventing history from repeating itself.
"By honoring the memory of Holocaust victims and committing to stand against all forms of oppression, we can build a future rooted in justice, equality, and humanity."
National Center for Eastern Kurdistan (NNRK)
January 27, 2025
[1] English.jinamedia.net, January 27, 2025.