When Have the PUK and the KDP Ever Been Moderate?
Shilan Izzaddin
Once again, the PUK and the KDP have returned to their flashy rhetoric, blatant lies, and exaggerated slogans about freedom and democracy, directed at a poor, hungry, and oppressed people.
It is very strange that these parties only remember “moderation” and “human freedom” during election campaigns.
In reality, the PUK has, since its very beginning, promoted slogans of “freedom of expression,” while the KDP, especially after the rise of Masrour and Nechirvan (their sons), has intensified this hypocrisy even more.
Today, they present themselves as modern and cultured figures, which they are not at all—far removed from reality.
They do all of this solely to remain in power. They know that young people only accept what they can see with their own eyes. Secondly, although the electoral process is supposedly counted as transparent, the ballot boxes are nothing more than tools to legitimize their fraudulent votes—nothing else.
They do not accept any dissenting or alternative voice or color. The history of every party is the best documentary film of their political life, proving why one should not believe these tricks and crystal masks they put on when it suits them, especially during elections.
Otherwise, how can one explain the arrest and killing of activists and journalists for raising the voice of freedom; the suppression of teachers for demanding their legitimate rights; or the persecution of ordinary people simply for complaining about the poor conditions of their lives?
Even the smallest spark of energy or movement among the youth has been met with the harshest repression, turning into killing and violence.
To prove my words, there is a very clear and recent example by the PUK: in June 2024, with heavily armed forces, they attacked the building of the “Halwest Movement,” completely ignoring laws, regulations, rights, and freedoms.
These two ruling families resort to every form of violence, intimidation, and brutal, inhumane action just to stay in power, without any reflection or restraint.
Therefore, I sincerely hope that no honorable Kurd with principles will ever trust them again, will not be deceived by their grand lies, and will not return to the ballot boxes to elect them once more.