THE KURDS: A

STATELESS NATION

The Kurds are an ethnic group that has been around for

thousands of years

Until the 1920s, they lived in a state called Kurdistan

Due to the fall of the Ottoman empire (Caucasus region),

Europe created new borders that did not include Kurdistan.

As a result, the Kurds are now a stateless nation with no

formal region to call their own

HISTORY…

Kurds have fought for independence and their own state

unsuccessfully numerous times

Saddam Hussein’s Anfal Campaign against Iraqi Kurdish –

1987-88

Gendercide and Genocide

200,000+ Iraqis v. 1000-2000 Kurdish guerilla forces

Kurdish language and culture in general was outlawed in

Turkey until the 1990s

Turkey’s attempt at Turkish nationalism

VIOLENCE IN TURKEY AND IRAQ

CURRENT PRESENCE

50% - Turkey

25% - Iraq

8% - Syria

7% - Iran

10% Armenia and other states

30 million Kurds divided over many states

NUMBERS….

http://www.gendercide.org/case_anfal.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kurdish-

inhabited_area_by_CIA_%281992%29.jpg

SOURCES