پەرلەمانی کوردستان
Erbil, Kurdistan Region
March 11, 2025
Today marks the 55th anniversary of the March 11, 1970 Autonomy Agreement, a significant milestone in the struggle of the people of Kurdistan, achieved under the leadership of Mustafa Barzani. This agreement represented a pivotal moment in the history of the people of Kurdistan, serving as the first official document to acknowledge some of their rightful claims. It also established the legal foundation for our present accomplishments, ensuring that no Iraqi authority can again disregard our rights. On this momentous occasion, we honor those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and rights of our people and our nation. We extend our respect to the proud families of the martyrs, the brave Peshmergas, and the diverse communities of Kurdistan.
The March 11 Agreement represented a fair resolution founded on mutual understanding and negotiation. However, the Iraqi government later renounced it, resulting in extended conflict and suffering. This decision has inflicted hardship on the Iraqi people. Iraq continues to face the repercussions of not honoring the Agreement, which was established on genuine partnership and the constitutional rights of all its diverse communities. Historical lessons demonstrate that proper stability can only be achieved through democracy, which was the guiding principle of the Revolution, emphasizing respect for pluralism, cooperation, and the pursuit of justice and equality for everyone.
Unity and solidarity serve as the true assurance for safeguarding our constitutional achievements and securing the future for coming generations. We urge all political entities in Kurdistan and Iraq to learn from this experience and collaborate in a spirit of national duty to reinforce federalism, uphold the rights of all Iraqi communities, and promote peaceful coexistence. The future of Iraq is contingent upon the effective implementation of the Constitution, the enhancement of authentic partnerships, and the establishment of a country characterized by security, stability, and justice.
We honor the memory of the March 11, 1970 Agreement and pay tribute to the souls of our fallen heroes.
Nechirvan Barzani
President of the Kurdistan Region
