Madame Danielle Mitterrand (1924-2011) is known in many countries as the "Mother of the Kurds." She became acquainted with the Kurdish question during the early years of the 1980s and ever since played an important role as an advocate and protector of Kurdish rights.

Madame Danielle Mitterrand’s efforts came during difficult times when Kurds in Iraq faced chemical bombardment and were subjected to the Anfal genocide. During these times, she became the voice of the Kurds and effectively engaged in Kurdish diplomacy. Similarly, when Kurdish writers and elected officials were imprisoned in Turkey, she advocated tirelessly for their rights. During the Kurdish fratricidal war, she played a significant role in the reconciliation of Kurdish forces. 

On November 12, in an impressive celebration, the centenary of Danielle Mitterrand's birth was commemorated with dignity in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region. 

The ceremony took place in the presence of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani, the prime minister and deputy prime minister, the ambassador of France to Iraq, the secretary general of the France-Libertes Foundation Danielle Mitterrand and many other Kurdish and French personalities. The event was organized by the Consulate General of France in Erbil in collaboration with Kurdish authorities. On the same day, a special tribute was celebrated in schools bearing her name, in Erbil and Sulaimani.

Masoud Barzani, in a solemn speech, paid tribute to Madame Mitterrand, emphasising that the Kurds will never forget the solidarity and support of Mrs. Mitterrand and the French people.

Dr. Nazand Begikhani (a survivor of the Anfal genocide), Vincent Wright, visiting professor at Sciences Po Paris and secretary general of the Kurdish Institute of Paris, in a powerful speech, evoked the spirit of Mrs. Mitterrand's wishes and dreams: "If Madame Danielle Mitterrand were here today, she would sit down with the leaders of the KDP and PUK [Patriotic Union of Kurdistan] and express the concerns of all of us.

"She would say to them: set aside your narrow and individualistic interests, don't forget the history of the Peshmerga struggle, the Anfal genocide and the chemical attacks. Put the interests of your nation above all else and get together immediately to form a strong and united government based on competence and shared expertise. Have confidence in women's abilities, reactivate your parliament, rebuild your economy and never fight each other again."

These are indeed a true expression of Madame Mitterrand’s wishes and she would surely have added: “Remember your fratricidal war. Is it really over today? What do the boundaries between Erbil and Sulaimani mean? What messages do the different colours of your Peshmerga's berets convey? Aren't they all real Kurds? Haven't their mothers suffered enough, cried enough?”

Madame Danielle Mitterrand hailed Kurdish achievements before the Kurdistan Parliament in 1992 for the first time, and then in 2009 she spoke of reconciliation, of the importance of human rights, of democracy for the Kurdistan Region, of the absolute necessity of continuing a humane path towards freedom, equality and justice.

The conflict between Kurdish forces greatly aggrieved Danielle Mitterrand. As one of the authors of this article, I, being Danielle’s son and the president of the France-Libertes Foundation, in 2021 on the tenth anniversary of my mother's death, addressed the Kurdistan Parliament evoking my mother's message and said: "Your strength lies in what brings you together. Your strength lies in your wisdom in wanting to build freely and independently a model of society with a desirable future. My mother held you in high regard.”

Let us ensure that Kurds remain in her high regard and keep her great legacy alive. 

Gilbert Mitterrand is president of the France-Libertes Fondation Danielle Mitterrand and Fredric Tissot is a former consul general of France to Erbil.

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rudaw.