The KCK Executive Council Presidency has issued a statement saying the basis for the convening of the National Congress has been strengthened by the formation of joint defence units, calling on all political forces to put National Congress work back on their agenda, and to take immediate action to ensure its realisation.

The KCK Executive Council Presidency statement stressed that in the light of the latest developments in Rojava and South Kurdistan it is essential that the National Congress be convened. The statement said: “Existing conditions, in addition to strengthening the basis of national unity, also make it essential.” The statement warned that during a period when an international coalition has been formed to counter the ISIS threat, it would be ‘a great error’ to confront this threat without national unity, as ISIS is on the borders of Kurdistan and threatening to destroy the gains of the Kurdish people. The statement therefore called on all political forces to redouble their efforts to convene the National Congress.

The KCK statement said: “For a long time now the people of Kurdistan and their friends have been waiting for the National Congress, which will undoubtedly make significant contributions to the democratic resolution of the Kurdish question and to peace and stability in our region, to convene. Work began last year for the assembly of the Congress with the participation of political parties and segments of society from all four parts of Kurdistan and from abroad. Important work was accomplished but the desired outcome could not be achieved.”

If the National Congress had taken place the danger would have been eliminated

The statement continued, saying that if the National Congress had convened as the result of the work accomplished, the Kurdish people would have had an organised force on a national level able to counter the attacks by ISIS on Rojava, Sinjar, Makhmur and Kirkuk, and would have been easier able to deal with these threats.

Joint defence units established

The statement continued, emphasising that although the National Congress had not been convened, all the political forces had acted with a sense of national unity and the people had virtually removed the borders to go to each others’ aid, with joint defence forces being set up. The statement stressed that, as a result, the advance of the ISIS gangs had been halted and the admiration and support of world public opinion gained.

A lack of unity would be a great error

The statement added that the international coalition to counter the ISIS threat had been established after the realisation of the threat posed by regional and global reaction, that it would be a great error to confront this threat without national unity, and that it was therefore essential for the National Congress to assemble as soon as possible.

Congress must convene without delay

The KCK statement concluded by emphasising the importance of the National Congress convening without delay, as this would enable social and economic problems to be dealt with in addition to issues of defence. “Most important of all, the gains of the Kurds in all four parts of Kurdistan can only be ensured by the realisation of the National Congress, which would also play a significant role in the resolution of the Kurdish question in the Middle East.”

The statement concluded by calling on all political forces to abandon narrow party interests, put National Congress work back on their agenda, and to take immediate action to ensure its realisation, which would meet the expectations of the people of Kurdistan and their friends.