The Concept of Referendum
From a scientific point of view, referendum is a legal and political process to obtain the public opinion of citizens on a specific issue related to determining their destiny; the process would conduct in a direct democratic manner. In other words, a referendum is a public vote in which the people directly express their opinion on an important issue, occasionally only two options are available such as (Yes – No) in this process.
“History of the use of the concept of referendum and its implementation”
The use of the concept of referendum in contemporary history dates back to the French Revolution in 1789 and in practice to the United States, when they held a referendum on their country’s first constitution in July gained. The history of referendums for independence dates back to 1846, when Liberia gained independence from US colonialism. The history of consolidation of the concept of referendum was in the Swiss Constitution in September 1848. Additionally, the history of the use of the term in international law goes back to the adoption of Resolution No. (1514) on December 14, 1960 of the UN General Assembly Determining the rights and destiny of subjugated and occupied nations, known as the decision to cleanse colonialism.
“Kurdish Nation is the Largest Stateless Nation”
The Kurdish nation is the only nation in the world that has all the principles of a state (geographical boundaries, people, and political power). The number of Kurds in the world is more than 40 million. The Kurdish nation has suffered all kinds of genocide, oppression and occupation by the occupying countries and the countries that were forced to be attached to it. Kurdistan was divided into four states (Iraq-Turkey-Iran-Syria). Since then, the Kurds have been subjected to more oppression and violence by successive regimes, especially the Iraqi state. The Ba’ath regime tried every way to eradicate the Kurds from Iraq. They rebuilt a new Iraq, changed the political system to federalism and drafted a new constitution in 2005.
Kurdistan People’s Independence Referendum
After the disappointment of the Kurdish political leadership in the Iraqi authorities and continuous violation of the rights of the Kurdish people. By the leadership of President Barzani decided to hold a referendum on independence on 7/6/2017, despite all the pressure and threats from Iraq and regional and international countries on Kurdish politics, but the enthusiasm for the decision of independence by the citizens of the Kurdistan Region was getting stronger. Finally, on 25/9/2017, the Kurdish people went to the polls and 92.7% of the citizens of the Kurdistan Region voted for independence. The Kurdish people proved that they are thirsty for independence and throughout history they have dreamed of independence and statehood for generations. They have given thousands of martyrs and sacrifices in this way. Although the Kurdish people could not become independent after the referendum, but the results of the referendum gave the message to the international community and the world that the Kurdish people will never compromise on their legitimate rights, will continue to struggle until complete independence.
