Code Of Conduct & Research Charter

Effective Date: [2023-01-05]

Update Date: [2025-08-13]

Adopted by the Founding Authority & Academic Committee

Preamble

KURD VOTE (“the Entity”) is an independent, non-governmental research platform dedicated to the systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of data for scientific and academic purposes. The Entity’s overarching mission is to provide the knowledge infrastructure necessary for nation-building and the advancement of a sovereign Kurdistan state.

Through the promotion of rigorous, evidence-based research, the Entity seeks to:

1. Strengthen institutional capacity in governance, policy, and civil society;
2. Support sustainable political, economic, and social development; and
3. Safeguard the rights, dignity, and historical identity of the Kurdish people.

This Code of Conduct (“the Code”) establishes the binding principles, ethical standards, and operational protocols for all individuals, teams, and partner institutions engaging with the Entity.

Article I – Foundational Principles

1. Nation-Building Commitment – All research conducted under the Entity shall serve, directly or indirectly, the strategic objective of advancing the institutional, socio-political, and cultural foundations necessary for Kurdistan’s self-determination and statehood.
2. Scientific Integrity – Research must adhere to the highest attainable standards of methodological rigor, academic honesty, and impartiality.
3. Ethical Responsibility – All activities shall be guided by respect for human dignity, the protection of marginalized voices, and the advancement of public good.

Article II – Political Independence

1. The Entity shall remain free from the control, sponsorship, or influence of any political party, governmental body, or partisan organization, whether domestic or foreign.
2. While research findings may align with or contradict political positions, such outcomes shall not constitute endorsement or opposition to any political faction.

Article III – Research Inclusivity

1. Researchers of all political perspectives may utilize the platform, provided that their work does not promote or normalize the marginalization or persecution of any historically oppressed population.
2. Any study that denies, distorts, or legitimizes historical or ongoing oppression of the Kurdish people or other marginalized communities is prohibited.

Article IV – Confidentiality and Data Security

1. All research activities shall adhere to internationally recognized privacy and data protection standards.
2. The intentional collection, storage, or dissemination of personally identifiable information (“PII”) is prohibited.
3. Informed consent must be obtained from all participants prior to any data collection, with explicit explanation of:
   a. The purpose and scope of the study;
   b. Measures to safeguard confidentiality;
   c. The limitations of digital security.
4. The Entity shall employ best-practice security measures but acknowledges that absolute digital protection cannot be guaranteed.

Article V – Institutional Capacity Building

1. The Entity shall serve as a resource hub for training, mentoring, and empowering independent Kurdish researchers.
2. Where possible, technical assistance, methodological guidance, and peer-review opportunities shall be provided to elevate the quality and impact of research.
3. Studies of national significance will be prioritized, including those in governance, economics, education, health, and infrastructure.

Article VI – Data Ownership and Intellectual Property

1. All data, surveys, polls, and research outputs generated through the platform are the sole property of KURD VOTE.
2. Raw or unanonymized datasets may not be stored, transmitted, or archived outside the Entity’s secure infrastructure.
3. Researchers may retain only derivative datasets in which all identifying information has been irreversibly removed.

Article VII – Geographic and Thematic Scope

1. Research is not geographically limited and may extend beyond Kurdistan where it serves comparative, contextual, or strategic nation-building objectives.
2. Studies must align with the Entity’s mission of contributing to the knowledge base essential for Kurdistan’s development and governance.

Article VIII – Oversight and Authorization

1. All research proposals require prior written approval from both the Founder and the Academic Committee.
2. No research outputs may be published, disseminated, or presented as having been conducted through the Entity without explicit written authorization from the Founder.

Article IX – Enforcement and Sanctions

1. Violation of any provision of this Code shall result in immediate suspension of access to the Entity’s tools and resources, with potential for permanent exclusion.
2. The Founder, in consultation with the Academic Committee, shall determine appropriate sanctions, which may include legal or contractual remedies.

Article X – Commitment to the Kurdish People

1. The Entity is dedicated to producing actionable, evidence-based knowledge that strengthens the social, political, and economic fabric of the Kurdish nation.
2. All research shall be conducted in a manner that respects the cultural heritage, historical struggles, and aspirations of the Kurdish people for sovereignty and self-governance.

Enforceability Clause

Access to the tools, services, or resources of KURD VOTE constitutes full acknowledgment of, and agreement to comply with, this Code of Conduct. Breach of the Code shall result in the enforcement measures described herein, without prejudice to any further legal action available under applicable law.