Kurdish state: between idea and reality

Kurdish state: between idea and reality. The object is the possibility of Kurdish statehood within Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. The relevance of this research paper comes from the fact that there are 36-45 million Kurds in the Middle East and that constitutes around 10 percent of region’s overall population. This also defines Kurds as one of the largest stateless nations in the world. Furthermore, Kurds are constantly trying to achieve independence, higher level of autonomy or at least the protection of their rights and liberties. The problem for this research topic arises from the fact that it is evident that within international law there are mechanisms that give theoretical basis for the justification of the Kurdish statehood. However, in reality Kurds still cannot accomplish their objective to establish an independent state of Kurdistan. The fundamental aim of this paper is to evaluate the perspectives of Kurdish statehood in four main countries. In order to achieve that three main questions will be investigated: 1) is Kurdish nation eligible for the principle of national self-determination; 2) what elements of statehood do Kurds possess in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria; 3) what factors prevent Kurds from establishing an independent state? The Kurdish nation a satisfies all 8 elements listed by Judge A. A. Cançado Trindade as defining criteria for the principle of national self-determination. Kurds’ traditions and culture, contrasting language and historic ties to the land of Kurdistan characterises Kurds as a distinct nation within the Middle East. Even though religion is not so exclusive compared to other groups of people in the region as Kurds profess Islam, considering the fact that neighbouring countries within the region also profess Islam, it can be assumed that religion is not a determining factor in statehood formation. Possessing the will to constitute a people is met by the fact that Kurds are fighting not only for the establishment of an independent state (or higher autonomy) but also for the protection of their identity. The factor of common suffering is best described by scrutinising repressive policies implemented by Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria regarding the Kurdish people. Evaluation of the accomplishment of Kurds in trying to achieve statehood in different countries reveals that Iraqi and Syrian Kurdistans are the most successful as both of them meet all four criteria for statehood introduced in the Montevideo Convention. However, Turkish and Iranian Kurdistans still only meet 2 criteria (permanent population and a defined territory). Despite the ongoing fight for more power, neither Turkish, nor Iranian Kurds have been able to establish a strong enough government and to achieve the capacity to enter into relations with other states. First of the reasons why Kurds have not yet created their states is that Kurdish nation is not completely monolithic which prevents them from uniting their powers to achieve their goals. Secondly, the repressive politics by four main states are stimulated by their fear of Kurdish nationalist movements and their consequences to the territorial integrity of the main states. Simultaneously, without these movements Kurds cannot achieve their goals and thus, it becomes impossible for them to not “create” that fear. Moreover, it is hard for Kurds to achieve recognition from other states because the Middle East is in constant turmoil and both PKK and PJAK are considered terrorist organisations by international community. This research paper systematises previous researches on Kurds and their statehood while also creating an added value of evaluating Kurds’ achievements in pursuance of statehood in all of the main countries. At the same time, a new approach to the topic is given by structuring both internal and external factors that prevents Kurds from establishing an independent state to this day and by that putting Kurdish statehood between idea (theory) and reality