Charter, Program, and Statute of the Kurdistan Independence Movement (BSK)

Article 1 – Name and Founding
The Movement operates under the name “Kurdistan Independence Movement” (BSK).
It was officially founded on 5 January 2019 (16 Befranbar 2718 Kurdish Calendar), as declared in the Founding Declaration, on the basis of the universally recognized principle of the right of peoples to self-determination and in continuation of the historic legacy of the Republic of Kurdistan in Mahabad and Komala ((ZH..K.))

Article 1 bis – Historical and Political Background

For more than a century, the land of Kurdistan has been subjected to division and occupation under the artificial borders of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.
The origins of this division trace back to the Battle of Chaldiran (1514) and the Treaty of Zuhab/Qasr-e Shirin (1639) between the Safavid and Ottoman Empires, and later to the Sykes–Picot Agreement (1916).
Although the Treaty of Sèvres (1920) stipulated the establishment of a Kurdish state, this right was denied by the Treaty of Lausanne (1923), which legalized the partition of Kurdistan among occupying states.

Since then, the Kurdish nation has endured assimilation, denial, and suppression under these occupying regimes. Despite immense sacrifices, the Kurdish people have continued their struggle for independence.
Today, with the collapse of the legitimacy of the Lausanne order and with global transformations, the Kurdish nation affirms that its only true path of survival is the establishment of an independent Kurdish state.

 

Article 2 – Nature, Definition, and Founding Principles
A. The Kurdistan Independence Movement (BSK) is a political and national liberation movement—a national umbrella for all Kurdish parties, organizations, and currents that believe in the struggle to establish an independent state in Eastern Kurdistan. It conducts struggle across the political, diplomatic, economic, media, and armed arenas.

1. The BSK recognizes independence for the Kurdish nation as a natural and inalienable right, and regards all forms and methods of struggle toward this end as a political, historical, and national duty.
2. As its first option, the BSK seeks to apply pressure on the occupying Iranian regime through appeals to the United Nations and international organizations so that it respects the Kurdish nation’s right to self-determination—meaning the Kurdish people, by their free will, shall administer their land and homeland.
3. This is a legitimate and indispensable demand for the survival of our nation and homeland. If, despite international appeals, the ruling regime refuses peaceful solutions and continues suppression and denial through occupation, the BSK reserves the right to adopt all forms of struggle, including armed struggle, as a legitimate defense.
4. While upholding the right of self-determination and international human-rights principles recognized by the UN and other bodies, the BSK considers itself entitled to work for the establishment of a Provisional Government of Eastern Kurdistan in Exile when required.
5. The BSK consists of the forces identified herein and works simultaneously so that other Kurdish independence-seeking forces across Kurdistan join this national umbrella. Its doors remain open to all currents that believe in the independence of Kurdistan.
6. The BSK possesses its own emblem and logo, official website, and dedicated media channels that express Kurdish identity and the cause of independence.

 

Article 3 — The Kurdish Nation

1. The Kurdish people constitute one nation whose homeland is Kurdistan. Against their will, they were partitioned among states that occupied Kurdish lands. The geography recognized by the BSK is the geography of Kurdistan as referenced in Sharafnama.
   B. The Kurdish nation, like the Persians, Arabs, and Turks, is a principal nation of the Middle East.
   C. The BSK does not accept domination, oppression, or occupation by the Persian nation or any other nation over the Kurdish nation.
   D. The BSK does not differentiate among Kurds across the parts of Kurdistan; however, due to particular circumstances and present conditions, it prioritizes its struggle in Eastern Kurdistan.
   E. The BSK recognizes, respects, and protects all religious, sectarian, linguistic, and folkloric (cultural) diversities of the Kurdish people as civilizational and historical heritage. Likewise, it recognizes and respects all national symbols of the Kurdish nation—such as territorial sovereignty, geography, and the Flag of Kurdistan (the three-color flag with the sun emblem, until such time as a future Parliament of Eastern Kurdistan decides otherwise by national consensus), the national anthem “Ey Reqîb,” and the blood of martyrs and sacrifices on the path to the freedom of Kurdistan in all four parts—as red-line elements of national existence.

 

Article 4 — Kurdistan

1. The BSK regards the entire geography of Kurdistan as the homeland of the Kurdish nation, rejects its oppression and partition as illegitimate, and defines such partition as a grave threat to the survival of the Kurdish nation.
   B. The freedom and unity of Kurdistan are considered national, political, and historical duties incumbent upon the Movement.
   C. Through scholarly and academic work—drawing on experts in fields such as history and monuments, language and culture and religion and customs, geography and land, underground and surface resources, and the Kurdish environment and its components—the BSK works to collect verified data and documentation across these domains.
   D. The BSK respects all ethnic components of Kurdistan and regards women and men as one Kurdish human in equal dignity. It recognizes that the occupying system has acted so that Kurdish women have had their rights violated both as Kurds and as women; therefore, the Movement, as an alliance, commits to recognizing all women’s rights and to preventing any form of gender-based, ethnic, or national oppression. It likewise respects the linguistic, cultural, and religious particularities of all communities in Kurdish society and rejects all forms of regionalism or discrimination between cities and regions of Kurdistan.

 

Article 5 — Liberation of the People of Kurdistan

1. The liberation of the people of Kurdistan is the highest and most sacred national value, and the supreme political, social, economic, and civilizational interest.
   B. National freedom and liberation must be paramount.
   C. No political, organizational, personal, or private interest shall be allowed to obstruct the unity of the political forces of Kurdistan against regimes that deny Kurdish rights.

 

Article 6 — National Interest

1. The interests of the Kurdish people are the source and standard for validating all political, diplomatic, and economic positions.
   B. Individual and party interests must be sacrificed to national interests—never the reverse.

 

Article 7 — General Will

1. The general will of the Kurdish people creates authority and confers legality and legitimacy upon it.
   B. Leaders, before anyone else, must respect the general will and work so that others likewise respect the general and national will.

 

Article 8 — Governance

The BSK believes that:
A. Authority and responsibility are a trust and duty, not property; they shall be entrusted to those capable of best employing them for the public interest of the Kurdish people, working for all without discrimination of clan, family, religion, or ethnicity.
B. Every leader or official must use authority for the collective advancement—political, material, civilizational, economic, and scientific—not for organizational, personal, familial, tribal, religious/sectarian, regional, or dialectal advantage.

 

Article 9 — Rotation of Leadership

Leaders and officials, in order to respect the general will and the law, shall peacefully relinquish authority so that others may gain experience in governance and demonstrate their competence.

 

Article 10 — Solidarity and National Unity

1. The BSK protects, by all means, the harmony and internal unity of the Kurdish house.
   B. Dialogue, forbearance, and respect for unity form the foundation for resolving any internal dispute.
   C. The BSK rejects internal war and political violence among Kurdish forces, recognizing them as a grave threat to Kurdish unity and national survival.
   D. By national charter, any Kurdish-on-Kurdish war is marked as a red-line offense; its initiators are deemed culpable, and such war is considered service to the enemies of the Kurds and a cause of the disintegration of Kurdish unity.
   E. The BSK works to establish a national and pan-Kurdish force composed of Peshmerga from all sides, operating under the name “National Forces of Kurdistan.” This force shall act under decisions of the Movement’s Presidency. Whenever a war arises against the enemies of the Kurds in other parts of Kurdistan, it must participate actively and militarily.

Article 11 – Solidarity and National Unity

1. The Kurdistan Independence Movement safeguards the unity and integrity of the Kurdish nation in every form.
   b. Dialogue, tolerance, and respect for unity shall form the foundation for resolving all internal disputes.
   c. Internal conflict and violence among Kurdish political forces are strictly rejected and are considered a grave threat to national unity.
   d. Any armed conflict between Kurds shall be deemed a national betrayal, and its instigators shall be condemned.
   e. The Movement shall work to establish and organize a National Kurdistani Force composed of Peshmerga from all sides, under the name of the Kurdistani National Force, operating under the authority of the Movement’s Leadership.
   f. Should war be waged against Kurds in other parts of Kurdistan, this National Force has the duty to participate in armed resistance.

 

Article 12 – National Parliament of Eastern Kurdistan

1. The Kurdistan Independence Movement recognizes the establishment of a National Parliament of Eastern Kurdistan as the legitimate representative of the people.
   b. The Parliament shall be elected by the free will of the people, in a democratic manner, guaranteeing representation of all groups, regions, and communities.
   c. Until its establishment, the Movement assumes responsibility to advocate for its creation in all political and diplomatic platforms.

 

Article 13 – Congress of the Movement

1. The Congress is the highest decision-making body of the Movement.
   b. It convenes once every four years.
   c. Members of the Congress are elected through internal procedures ensuring representation of all branches.
   d. The Congress elects the General Leadership and the Executive Body.
   e. The Congress debates and approves amendments to the Statute, program, and political strategy.

 

Article 14 – Extraordinary Congress

1. An extraordinary congress may be convened upon the decision of the General Leadership or at the written request of one-third of the Movement’s members.
   b. Its agenda is limited to the urgent issues for which it was convened.

 

Article 15 – General Leadership

1. The General Leadership is the highest leadership body between congresses.
   b. It is composed of members elected by the Congress.
   c. The General Leadership is accountable to the Congress.
   d. It oversees and directs the overall strategy of the Movement in all fields.

 

Article 16 – Executive Body

1. The Executive Body is elected by the Congress.
   b. It is responsible for the daily implementation of the Movement’s policies and decisions.
   c. It is composed of an appropriate number of members as determined by the Congress.
   d. It is accountable to both the General Leadership and the Congress.

 

Article 17 – Organizational Structure

1. The Movement shall establish branches, offices, and representative structures inside Kurdistan and abroad as needed.
   b. These structures are bound by the Statute, program, and decisions of the Leadership and Executive Bodies.

 

Article 18 – Membership

1. Any Kurd who accepts the Statute and program of the Movement and commits to its struggle may become a member.
   b. Membership is granted by local branches upon approval of the relevant bodies.
   c. Members must fulfill their responsibilities actively and loyally.

 

Article 19 – Rights of Members

1. Members have the right to express their views within the Movement.
   b. They may participate in discussions, debates, and elections of the Movement’s organs.
   c. They have the right to vote and be elected to positions, provided they meet the requirements.

 

Article 20 – Duties of Members

1. Members must adhere to the Statute and program of the Movement.
   b. They must participate in activities, struggle, and decision implementation.
   c. Members must protect the unity, dignity, and security of the Movement.
   d. They must prioritize national interests over personal or factional interests.

 

Article 21 – Termination of Membership

1. Membership may be terminated for violations of the Statute, betrayal of the Movement, inactivity, or actions harmful to the cause.
   b. Termination is decided by the competent organs, with the right of appeal to higher bodies.

 

Article 22 – Judicial Authority

1. All individuals are equal before the judiciary.
   b. Life, property, and dignity of Kurdistani citizens must be protected.
   c. The judiciary must be independent and impartial, ensuring fair trials.
   d. Every defendant has the right to legal defense.
   e. No person may be considered guilty until proven so by a competent court.

 

Article 23 – Judicial Decisions

1. The judicial body may issue acquittals or sentences including financial penalties, imprisonment, or expulsion.
   b. Capital punishment is strictly prohibited.

 

Article 24 – National Centers of the Movement

1. Political, Strategic, and Diplomatic Center.
   b. Military, Organizational, and Security Center.
   c. Economic and Financial Center.
   d. Media and Communication Center.
   e. Educational and Ideological Center.

 

Article 25 – Commissions

1. Executive members may be tasked with leading commissions as needed.

 

Article 26 – Powers of the General Leadership

1. Elects the President of the Movement for four years (renewable under conditions).
   b. Determines overall strategy and policies.
   c. Approves programs of all organs.
   d. Supervises and monitors activities of all centers and commissions.
   e. May annul decisions of subordinate bodies.

 

Article 27 – Powers of the President

1. Represents the Movement at national and international levels.
   b. Implements decisions of the Leadership and Executive Bodies.
   c. Convenes and presides over meetings.

 

Article 28 – Powers of the Executive Body

1. Appoints members of the Leadership.
   b. Establishes commissions and organs.
   c. Forms regional branches.
   d. Issues decisions for the Movement’s development.
   e. May propose amendments to the Statute or program.

 

Article 29 – Supreme Judicial Body

1. Elected by members through secret ballot.
   b. May intervene in political or constitutional disputes upon request.
   c. Its rulings are binding on all organs.
   d. May issue advisory opinions when consulted.
   e. Appeals against rulings may be made to the Supreme Judicial Authority.

Article 30 – Authority of the National Centers

1. The authority and scope of work of the Movement’s central bodies and centers shall be determined by the decision of the Executive Body.

 

Article 31 – Mechanisms of Decision-Making

1. Decisions of the Movement’s centers, organs, and commissions shall be made according to the following principles:
2. Decisions shall preferably be reached by consensus after discussion and consultation among members.
3. If consensus cannot be achieved, decisions shall be taken by secret ballot.
4. If the majority of members so request, decisions may also be taken by a show of hands.
5. Meetings of centers and organs may be convened upon the request of responsible officials or a majority of members.
6. For meetings of organs to be valid and legitimate, a majority of their members must be present.
7. Meetings may be held either in person or online.
8. Members may participate directly, by written statement, or by delegating their vote through a proxy.

 

Article 32 – Obligation of Implementation

1. All leaders, members, and organs of the Movement are bound to respect and implement the decisions of the competent bodies.
   b. Compliance with and execution of decisions is a duty, not a choice.

 

Article 33 – Collective Responsibility

1. All members of the Movement are collectively bound by the decisions taken and must execute them in a spirit of unity and discipline.
   b. Respect for decisions is an obligation for every member.

 

Article 34 – Extraordinary Meetings

1. If urgent and extraordinary meetings are required, the competent parties defined in earlier articles may submit their proposals.
   b. Prior to convening, the agenda and subjects of decision must be clearly defined.

Demography and Geography of Eastern Kurdistan
The geography of Eastern Kurdistan includes the provinces of Ilam, Kermashan, Sine, Urmiye, Lorestan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and parts of Hamadan and North Khorasan.
Kermashan is proposed as the capital of the future Kurdish state.

Population estimates of Kurds worldwide exceed 70 million, with large communities in Europe, the Caucasus, and the Middle East.

National Symbols of the Kurdistan Independence Movement (BSK)

1. The Flag of Kurdistan
   • Consists of three horizontal colors: red, white, and green, with the golden sun emblem (21 rays) in the center.
   • It represents the unity, identity, and historical continuity of the Kurdish nation.
   • Red symbolizes the struggle and sacrifices, white stands for peace and freedom, green for the land of Kurdistan, and the golden sun for light, renewal, and the eternal existence of the nation.
2. The Emblem of the Movement (BSK Logo)
   • Features a flame in the three colors of the Kurdistan flag (red, yellow, green) inside a circular frame.
   • The flame symbolizes resistance, life, and the burning spirit of freedom.
   • The abbreviation “BSK” (Bozûtnewey Serbexoyîxwazanî Kurdistan) and the founding year 2019 are inscribed to mark the establishment of the Movement.
3. The Eagle’s Claw Symbol
   • Depicts a hand in the “Eagle’s Claw” gesture, a sign of strength, resilience, and unity.
   • It represents soil, nation, and independence, affirming that the Kurdish nation will not relinquish its land or identity.
   • This symbol has become an iconic expression of Kurdish resistance and national pride.
4. Official Website
   • The official platform of the Movement is: kurdnation.com.
   • It serves as the voice of the Movement, providing political statements, official documents, cultural materials, and communication with the Kurdish people and the world.

 

✅ Final Ratification
The members of the Kurdistan Independence Movement, after thorough discussion and deliberation, unanimously adopted this Charter and Statute.

📅 Date of Ratification:
16 Befranbar 2719 (Kurdish calendar)
5 January 2019 (Gregorian calendar)