Kurdistan Prime Minister Urges Continued International Support on Anniversary of UNSC Resolution 688
Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani issued a statement today, April 5, 2024, marking the thirty-third anniversary of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 688. In his statement, Prime Minister Barzani emphasized the ongoing importance of international support in protecting the rights and security of the Kurdistan people.
Resolution 688, adopted by the UNSC on April 5, 1991, responded to the brutal attacks and atrocities committed by the former Iraqi regime against the people of Kurdistan, which resulted in the displacement of millions seeking safety. The resolution played a crucial role in establishing a no-fly zone, helping to mitigate further attacks and repression. It ultimately contributed to the protection of the Kurdistan Region from potential genocide and paved the way for successful parliamentary elections and the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Prime Minister Barzani expressed gratitude to the international community, particularly acknowledging the support of the United States, Britain, France, Iran, and Turkey. He highlighted the significant contributions of leaders such as the late French President François Mitterrand, former US President George H. W. Bush, and then-British Prime Minister John Major, as well as former US Secretary of State James Baker, in responding to the appeals of the Kurdistan people.
Despite the progress made since the adoption of Resolution 688, Prime Minister Barzani underscored that the risks facing the Kurdistan people persist, with their rights and achievements still under threat. He urged the international community to fulfill its responsibility in safeguarding the Kurdistan Region and defending the legitimate rights of its citizens.
In 1991, UNSC Resolution 688 galvanized an international coalition to save our people from genocide.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) April 5, 2024
Today, 33 years later, our rights and hard-won gains remain vulnerable. The intl community must continue to safeguard Kurdistan, its peoples and rights. pic.twitter.com/fGsbP52sLY
In a tweet accompanying his statement, Prime Minister Barzani reiterated the significance of Resolution 688 in mobilizing international support to prevent genocide in 1991. He emphasized that, even after 33 years, the rights and hard-won gains of the Kurdistan people remain vulnerable, underscoring the continued need for the international community to safeguard Kurdistan, its people, and their rights.
As the Kurdistan Region commemorates the anniversary of Resolution 688, Prime Minister Barzani's message serves as a reminder of the ongoing importance of international solidarity and support in addressing the challenges faced by the Kurdistan people and ensuring their security and rights are protected.
