Written evidence from Movement of Change- Iraqi Kurdistan (KUR0026)

Kurdish Aspirations, Gorran Movement and the Interests of the UK

Gorran Movement was established in 2009. It became the second-largest political party in Kurdistan within a few years with (24) seats in Kurdistan Parliament. Gorran Movement is a political and democratic party with an unshakable commitment to democratic principles and peaceful means of conflict resolution within Kurdistan. In this respect stability is a main priority of the Gorran Movement. In the meantime, genuinely democratic system and strong institutions are the backbone of stability. The political platform of Gorran Movement consists of institutional-building, parliamentary democratic system and the guarantee and protection of political and civil liberties of all citizens of Kurdistan regardless of their ethnic or religious identities under the rule of law enshrined in a constitutions. We emphasis on equality and individual rights stays strong Reginal. It aims to establish governance through accountability and transparency as well as fighting corruption which is an enormous challenge and problem in Kurdistan and Iraq. Equality before the law: everyone whether high official or ordinary citizen should be subject to the same law administrated by courts. Gorran Movement also aims to building national armed forces, at present the Peshmarga are under the control of KDP and PUK, and build national security, police and intelligence services which are also controlled by KDP and PUK rather than the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and elected leaders. This poses the greatest internal threat to stability and the recent history of civil war between KDP and PUK is the testament of it.

Kurds do not want hostility between the nations and instead sought a just solution to the Kurdish problem. We believe a new era had started in which Kurds wanted a prosperous and economically developed region; terrorist groups are excluded since they are fighting against humanity, democracy, liberty, and peace love nations.  The strongest weapon in the new era is the language of dialogue, peace and democratic methods; more over the armed struggle of the Kurds pursued in the past was because of the need to establish their national identities.

Gorran Movement can be an enduring and strong ally through the combination of Kurdish aspirations and the interests of the UK based on people to people relations, government to government relations that share common values and interests. In eight years Gorran Movement has become a strong political party that drives its majority support from the young and women. The population of Kurdistan is young and 65% are under (24) years old and Gorran Movement is bound to become the largest political party and key decision-maker in Kurdistan region in the near future. The aspiration of Gorran and the interest of the UK have common ground through the following:

1. Political: Gorran Movement’s goals for democratic transition and strong institution can create a strong KRG that is able to conduct relations on the bases on mutual national interest and common values.
2. Economic: The strengthening of the rule of law and constitutional accountability makes investment by UK companies and businesses easy and secure. In the present condition of the absence of the rule of law and widespread corruption coupled with the unpredictability of Kurdish politics in the absence of a strong KRG carries many risks. Gorran Movement can put an end to these unpredictability’s and institutionalize economic ties between Kurdistan and KRG.
3. Strategic: The Kurdistan Region is at the crossroads of Turkey, Iran, the Arab world and the Caucasus. It has enormous strategic importance.
4. Energy: Kurdistan has great potential in terms of oil and natural gas and it already exports oil.
5. Military: Kurdistan Region has the potential of becoming a strong ally of the UK and build close military relations with the UK and even the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) through building a national army as well as national security and police forces.

Gorran Movement is capable of forming strong and long-term relations through the KRG institution with the UK that are rooted in common values and political, economic and strategic interests.

November 2017