Support H.Res.534 - Kurdistan's right to determine their status as a sovereign country
I write as a resident of your District and State to urge you to support the people of Kurdistan in Iraq after their peaceful, transparent, and democratic independence referendum. Turnout for the referendum was 72% and over 92% voted for independence. The leadership of Iraqi Kurdistan has made it clear that the result will not lead to a unilateral declaration of independence. It paves the way for serious dialogue and negotiations with Baghdad on an amicable separation.
With that in mind, I ask that you co-sponsor and then vote for HR 534, which calls on the United States government to recognize the right of self-determination of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to determine their status as a sovereign country.
I am deeply disappointed that the United States government has failed to de-escalate ongoing threats from the Iraqi government and parliament in response to the referendum, including:
• Banning international commercial flights to and from Kurdistan’s airports
• Deploying forces to Peshmerga-held Kurdistani areas
• Calling for the closure of all foreign missions and consulates in Kurdistan
• Depriving Kurdistan of its oil revenues, which comes at a time when the Iraqi government has not paid Kurdistan’s share of the federal budget for nearly four years
Iraqi Kurdistan is a dependable US ally and has been an oasis of stability and democracy in an otherwise volatile region. The Peshmerga are a leading and resolute ally in the U.S.-led coalition fight against ISIS. The people of Iraqi Kurdistan believe in secular democratic governance, making it a bulwark against sectarian extremism. It serves as a sanctuary to ethnic and religious minorities, including Christians, Yazidis and Turkmen. Since 2014, Iraqi Kurdistan has opened its doors to over 1.8 million internally displaced Iraqis and refugees from Syria.
The people of Iraqi Kurdistan exercised their unalienable right to self-determination by holding a referendum on independence – the same right enjoyed by citizens in this great country and in other democracies. The U.S. should engage with leaders in Erbil and Baghdad to help facilitate peaceful negotiations. It is in the United States’ interest to prevent further instability.
I speak for many others in my community in asking you to support Iraqi Kurdistan as they seek to engage in open and productive dialogue with Baghdad in the face of the Iraqi government's threats against them. Please show this support by voting for H.R. 534.
With that in mind, I ask that you co-sponsor and then vote for HR 534, which calls on the United States government to recognize the right of self-determination of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to determine their status as a sovereign country.
I am deeply disappointed that the United States government has failed to de-escalate ongoing threats from the Iraqi government and parliament in response to the referendum, including:
• Banning international commercial flights to and from Kurdistan’s airports
• Deploying forces to Peshmerga-held Kurdistani areas
• Calling for the closure of all foreign missions and consulates in Kurdistan
• Depriving Kurdistan of its oil revenues, which comes at a time when the Iraqi government has not paid Kurdistan’s share of the federal budget for nearly four years
Iraqi Kurdistan is a dependable US ally and has been an oasis of stability and democracy in an otherwise volatile region. The Peshmerga are a leading and resolute ally in the U.S.-led coalition fight against ISIS. The people of Iraqi Kurdistan believe in secular democratic governance, making it a bulwark against sectarian extremism. It serves as a sanctuary to ethnic and religious minorities, including Christians, Yazidis and Turkmen. Since 2014, Iraqi Kurdistan has opened its doors to over 1.8 million internally displaced Iraqis and refugees from Syria.
The people of Iraqi Kurdistan exercised their unalienable right to self-determination by holding a referendum on independence – the same right enjoyed by citizens in this great country and in other democracies. The U.S. should engage with leaders in Erbil and Baghdad to help facilitate peaceful negotiations. It is in the United States’ interest to prevent further instability.
I speak for many others in my community in asking you to support Iraqi Kurdistan as they seek to engage in open and productive dialogue with Baghdad in the face of the Iraqi government's threats against them. Please show this support by voting for H.R. 534.
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