Rebwar Yaseen Fattah – Activist
The challenges faced by the people of Kurdistan began on the very day the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) was established. Subsequently, the party engaged in the imprisonment and execution of activists. From its inception, the KDP was designed to suppress the voices of urban populations in Kurdistan and to weaken the political agency of the Kurdish people.
Following World War II, public dissatisfaction in both Kurdistan and Iraq grew significantly. The KDP exploited this discontent to secure political and economic advantages.
At no point in its history has the KDP functioned as a truly democratic entity. Instead, it has consistently served as a tool for the Barzani family and external powers. Evidence of this claim lies in the fact that, throughout its existence, the party has had only three leaders—all of whom belonged to the Barzani family. Another indication of this is the extraordinary wealth accumulated by the sons and grandsons of the Barzani family, who are now billionaires.
Moreover, the party lacks any internal mechanisms for accountability or criticism. No member has the ability to question or critique its governance; those who attempt to do so face dire consequences, including assassination. Substantial evidence supports these assertions.
Since its establishment, the KDP has served as a tool for external actors. Initially, it functioned under Iranian influence until it became obsolete. Later, it aligned with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and after 1991, it shifted its allegiance to Turkey—a dynamic that continues to this day.