My story and why I am starting this petition

My name is Hadi Mohammed Abdullah. I am a young Kurdish man from Iran.

I grew up with very little education and very little hope for my future. I did not have the opportunity to properly study in my own Kurdish language.

Like many young Kurdish people, I wanted a normal life. I wanted education, work, freedom and a future.

I eventually left Iran when I was still young and came to the UK. I left because I felt I had no real future and wanted to live somewhere I could be safe and have opportunities in life.

I am speaking today because many other young Kurdish people are still facing serious problems. I want their future to be better. Young people should not have to leave their home and family just to have hope for a normal life.

Mandatory military service
For young men in Iran, there is another serious issue: mandatory military service.

Iran requires men to complete military service. If a young man does not complete it and does not have an exemption, many parts of normal life can become very difficult.

He can face restrictions on getting a passport and leaving Iran. He can also face restrictions on higher education, employment, some loans, getting a business licence and other important parts of adult life.

For me, military service also creates a serious moral problem. As a Kurdish man, I do not want to be put in a position where I may have to act against my own people or support a system that I believe has oppressed Kurdish people.

I do not want to hurt my own people.

I do not want to spy on my own people.

I do not believe a young Kurdish man should have to choose between his conscience and his future.

 

Kurdish young people deserve a future
Many Kurdish young people face poverty, discrimination and a lack of opportunities.

Some have very few ways to earn money. Some do dangerous border work, carrying heavy goods across mountains for many hours just to earn enough money to live.

This work can be very dangerous. People can be injured or killed.

Young people should be carrying books for their education, not heavy goods across dangerous mountains to survive.

They should have schools, jobs and opportunities.

They should be able to learn and speak their own Kurdish language.

They should be able to celebrate their Kurdish culture.

They should be able to peacefully express their opinions without fear.

They should have the same basic rights and opportunities as everyone else.

What I am asking for
I am asking the UK Government to continue raising human rights concerns about Iran and to work with other countries and international organisations on the rights and treatment of Kurdish people and all people in Iran.

I am asking for more international attention to discrimination, restrictions on freedom, the treatment of peaceful protesters and the problems facing Kurdish communities.

I want the international community to continue speaking about these issues and encourage the Iranian authorities to respect basic human rights and freedoms.

We are not asking for special rights. We are asking for equal rights.

We want education.

We want opportunities.

We want freedom.

We want to live without fear.

We want young Kurdish people to have a future.

Please sign this petition so these concerns can be heard.

Please help us raise awareness and show that Kurdish young people should not be forgotten.

Woman, Life, Freedom

Jin, Jiyan, Azadi

A free and peaceful future should belong to everyone.