Condolence Statement on the Passing of Lord Jeffrey Archer

It is with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of Lord Jeffrey Archer—a distinguished British author and parliamentarian and, above all, a longstanding friend of the People of Kurdistan.

On behalf of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and its Foreign Relations Office, we extend our deepest condolences to Lord Archer’s family, friends, and colleagues.

The people of Kurdistan will remember Lord Archer with particular gratitude for the friendship and solidarity he showed during one of the most difficult periods in our modern history. Amid the humanitarian tragedy of 1991, when hundreds of thousands of Kurdish families were displaced, he used his public profile and international connections to draw global attention to their suffering.

Through the Simple Truth Appeal—including the major international concert held at Wembley Arena—he helped mobilise vital humanitarian assistance and brought the plight of the Kurdish people to an audience of millions around the world.

His commitment extended beyond humanitarian advocacy. Lord Archer travelled to Kurdistan, witnessed firsthand the conditions faced by our people, and established close ties with the Kurdish leadership. In early 1992, he carried a message from then Prime Minister Sir John Major to President Masoud Barzani, helping to strengthen relations between the Kurdish leadership and senior political figures in the United Kingdom. In the years that followed, he continued to advocate for the Kurdish people, including in the House of Lords.

The people of Kurdistan will never forget those who stood with them in their darkest hours. Lord Jeffrey Archer’s compassion, advocacy, and enduring friendship will remain part of our collective memory.

At this time of sorrow, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace, and may his memory—and his friendship with the people of Kurdistan—endure.

Kurdistan Democratic Party
Foreign Relations Office