ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Marie Sneve Martinussen, leader of Norway's Red Party (Rødt), has called on her country to recognize the Kurdish self-administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) and to engage in cooperation with them. The Red Party won nine seats in Monday’s parliamentary election, and while the Labour Party emerged as the main winner, it will likely need the Red Party’s support to form the next cabinet.
"Rødt wants Norway to recognize the democratic, autonomous administration in Northeast Syria and cooperate with them, including by repatriating Norwegian citizens interned in prison camps and supporting reconstruction. This is a decisive moment in Syria, where it is especially important to support DAANES," she told Rudaw a day before the legislative vote.
The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), or Rojava, is led by Kurds but members of other religious and ethnic minorities also hold key positions. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is considered its de facto army.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) played a key role in the territorial defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2019, nearly four years after the extremist group had controlled large areas of Syria and Iraq. Today, at least 27,488 people with alleged ties to ISIS remain held in the notorious al-Hol camp in Rojava's Hasaka province, including dozens of foreign nationals from Europe. Norway has repatriated some of its citizens from the camp.
Nigar Einayati, a Kurdish candidate from the Red Party for the parliamentary election, told Rudaw on Sunday that it is important for them as Kurdish members of the Norwegian party to push for the recognition of Rojava.
At least eight Kurds were running in Norway’s parliamentary elections this year.
Nawisa Falahzadeh, also running under the Red Party, called for participation of Kurds in Norway’s elections to make sure their demands are met.
According to the official results of Monday’s election, the Labour Party will remain in power but will need the support of smaller parties, such as the Red Party, to form a cabinet. The Red Party secured nine seats in the 169-member legislature, an increase from its previous eight.
Martinussen added that her party also supports Kurdish cultural rights in Kurdish-majority areas and Norway.
"Rødt supports the Kurdish people in their struggle to live free lives where they can use their own language and culture, both in Kurdish regions and in Norway. It is important that multilingual individuals have the opportunity to develop their mother tongue throughout their schooling, including in Norwegian schools. For Kurds, this is especially important, given how the Kurdish language and culture have been suppressed throughout history," she said.
Niyaz Mustafa contributed to this article.
