Kurds For Labour

26/01/2026

The violence in north-east Syria , Rojava must stop.

Lives are being lost and communities are being torn apart. Kurdish communities and other minorities are facing grave and immediate risk.

We have written to Ministers and to the Foreign Secretary calling for urgent action to protect civilians, uphold human rights, and prevent further escalation.

Silence is not an option. Delay costs lives.

Action is needed now.

22/01/2026

We would like to sincerely thank the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP for taking the Kurdish issue and the situation in Rojava seriously. The Kurdish community, and we as Kurds for Labour, greatly appreciate his dedication and hard work. He is an outstanding Member of Parliament who represents his constituents with integrity, commitment, and compassion.

The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Member of Parliament for Leeds South and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has written to the Foreign Secretary on behalf of Kurdish constituents in his Leeds South constituency. We are deeply grateful for his continued support, advocacy, and principled leadership.

09/01/2026

Statement from Kurds for Labour

Kurds for Labour has formally written to the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to raise our grave concerns about the worsening situation facing Kurdish civilians in Syria—particularly in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in Aleppo.

Kurdish families are facing collective punishment, shelling, and siege. These actions are unacceptable and represent serious violations of human rights. Silence from the international community will only embolden further violence.

The Kurdish people stood on the front line against ISIS when the world was under threat. Tens of thousands paid the ultimate price defending not only their own communities, but international security. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) remain a credible and reliable partner in the fight against terrorism, and any weakening of them risks creating a dangerous vacuum that extremist groups could exploit.

The international community—and the UK in particular—owes a debt of honour to the Kurds. Abandoning long-standing partners now would be both morally wrong and strategically short-sighted.

We are calling on the UK Government to:
• Speak out against attacks on Kurdish civilians
• Act to prevent further escalation and collective punishment
• Reject the legitimisation of extremist and repressive forces
• Support constitutional protection and self-administration for Kurdish regions

Syria must not return to a centralised, repressive system that has caused decades of suffering. A just and lasting peace requires decentralisation, protection for minorities, and respect for democratic self-rule.

We stand with the Kurdish people. Their courage, sacrifice, and commitment to peace must not be forgotten.

Kurds for Labour

04/11/2025

Diversity in Public Life – Westminster Event

We were proud to host an inspiring evening in Westminster, organised by Kurds for Labour (KfL) and hosted by Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, celebrating Diversity in Public Life.

The event highlighted the importance of encouraging young people and women from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds to engage in politics and public service. It was uplifting to hear powerful stories of resilience, hope, and achievement from those who continue to give so much back to our communities.

We were honoured to hear from our Chair, Cllr Sarbaz Barznji, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, and Afzal Khan MP, who spoke about the importance of community engagement, public service, and encouraging young people from all backgrounds to take part in politics and make a positive difference.

We were also inspired by Ben Taylor, Nawa Muhammed, and Dr Rasgo Faisal, who each shared powerful messages on leadership, inclusion, and the strength found in diversity.

Together, we’re building a more inclusive, fair, and hopeful future for all.

04/11/2025

Diversity in Public Life

We were proud to host an inspiring evening in Westminster, organised by Kurds for Labour (KfL) and hosted by Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, celebrating Diversity in Public Life.

The event highlighted the importance of encouraging young people and women from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds to engage in politics and public service. It was uplifting to hear powerful stories of resilience, hope, and achievement from those who continue to give so much back to our communities.

We were honoured to hear from our Chair, Cllr Sarbaz Barznji, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, and Afzal Khan MP, who spoke about the importance of community engagement, public service, and encouraging young people from all backgrounds to take part in politics and make a positive difference.

We were also inspired by Ben Taylor, Nawa Muhammed, and Dr Rasgo Faisal, who each shared powerful messages on leadership, inclusion, and the strength found in diversity.

Together, we’re building a more inclusive, fair, and hopeful future for all.

25/10/2025

Congrats to our comrade Lucy Powell on being elected Deputy Leader of the Labour Party! Looking forward to working with her to keep serving our party and our country.

25/10/2025

Congrats to our comrade Lucy Powell on being elected Deputy Leader of the Labour Party! Looking forward to working with her to keep serving our party and our country.

Lucy Powell MP

06/07/2025

A fantastic turnout and a truly inspiring day in Birmingham!

The theme of the day was Crossing Borders and Creating Opportunities — and that’s exactly what we did.

This brilliant business event, hosted by the UK Kurdish Association (UKKA) in collaboration with Kurds for Labour, was a huge success — bringing together Kurdish entrepreneurs, Labour supporters, and community champions from across the West Midlands and beyond.

We were especially honoured to welcome Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands . In his speech, he reaffirmed his strong support for small and medium-sized businesses in the region, and spoke passionately about the vital contribution the Kurdish community makes to both the West Midlands and the UK as a whole.

He also gave heartfelt thanks to Kurds for Labour for our ongoing work in connecting communities, supporting local enterprise, and championing Labour values.

It was the first Kurdish business conference in Birmingham organised by UKKA! A fantastic step towards boosting economic ties between Kurdish & British entrepreneurs. Kudos to the Kurdish Community of Britain for driving this initiative!

A massive thank you to everyone who joined us — this is what real community and progress look like!

03/05/2025

It is with profound sadness that I received the news of the passing of Mr. Sırrı Sureyya Onder, Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Parliament — a distinguished filmmaker, politician, and lifelong peace activist. This loss is deeply felt, and my thoughts are with all those who knew and loved him.

For over two decades, Mr. Onder dedicated himself to bridging the divide between the Kurdish and Turkish peoples. A man of courage and conviction, he stood firmly for peace, justice, equality, and democracy — values he championed both in his political life and personal convictions. He was one of the very few Turkish politicians to align himself with a pro-Kurdish party, demonstrating not only political bravery but also a genuine commitment to reconciliation and human dignity.

Mr. Onder was not only a strong and principled leader within Turkey, but also a true friend and ally to the Kurdish people. His pivotal role in the peace process in North Kurdistan and Turkey, and his unwavering belief in dialogue over division, will be remembered with deep respect and admiration. His voice was one of rare clarity, integrity, and humanity in a region so often marked by silence or hostility.

On behalf of Kurds for Labour and the Kurdish community in the United Kingdom, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, comrades, the leadership and supporters of the Dam Party, and to all who shared in his vision of peace and coexistence. We mourn together the loss of a giant of conscience and a sincere champion of democratic ideals.

His passing is a grievous loss for Turkey and an enduring sorrow for the Kurdish people. May his soul rest in peace, and may those who mourn him find comfort in the lasting impact of his life’s work.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon.

Cllr Sarbaz Barznji
Chair, Kurds for Labour

30/04/2025

Labour is the only party with a serious Plan for Change to improve the lives of working people.

On Thursday 1 May, vote Labour.

30/04/2025