Şerif Pasha: Kurdish Diplomat Who Represented the Kurds at the Paris Peace Conference
- Sherko Sabir
- May 6
- 3 min read
Who Was Şerif Pasha?
Şerif Pasha was a Kurdish Ottoman diplomat who lived from 1865 to 1951. He was a former Ottoman ambassador who became the representative of Kurdish national aspirations at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919-1920 — the international gathering that reshaped the post-World War I world order and gave rise to the Treaty of Sèvres.
At Paris, Şerif Pasha submitted a memorandum to the Allied Powers on behalf of Kurdish national interests, calling for the recognition of Kurdish rights and the creation of a Kurdish autonomous zone or state. He negotiated with the Allied powers and reached a short-lived agreement with the Armenian representative Boghos Nubar Pasha on the boundaries of proposed Kurdish and Armenian areas in eastern Anatolia.
Though his efforts did not ultimately produce a Kurdish state — the subsequent Treaty of Lausanne (1923) superseded the Treaty of Sèvres and contained no provisions for Kurdish autonomy — Şerif Pasha was the first Kurdish diplomat to represent Kurdish national aspirations on the international stage.
Key Takeaways
• Şerif Pasha (1865-1951) was a Kurdish Ottoman diplomat who represented Kurdish national interests at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919-1920.
• He submitted a memorandum to the Allied Powers calling for Kurdish recognition and self-determination.
• He reached an agreement with Armenian representative Boghos Nubar Pasha on proposed boundaries.
• His efforts contributed to the Kurdish provisions in the Treaty of Sèvres (1920) — though these were never implemented.
• He was the first Kurdish diplomat to represent Kurdish aspirations on the international stage.
Quick Facts
Table of Contents
Early Life and Origins
Şerif Pasha was born in 1865 and pursued a career in Ottoman diplomacy, serving as an Ottoman ambassador. When the Ottoman Empire was defeated in World War I and the Paris Peace Conference convened to determine the post-war order, he emerged as a representative of Kurdish national interests.
Historical Context
The Paris Peace Conference (1919-1920) was the most important international gathering of the early 20th century, determining the borders and political arrangements of the post-war world. Kurdish leaders saw it as an opportunity to press for Kurdish self-determination. The Treaty of Sèvres (1920) that resulted included provisions for Kurdish autonomy — making it the only international treaty to ever provide for Kurdish self-determination.
However, the Turkish War of Independence led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk defeated the Allied-backed plans, and the subsequent Treaty of Lausanne (1923) replaced Sèvres with no provisions for Kurdish autonomy.
Major Achievements and Contributions
Kurdish Representation at Paris (1919-1920)
Şerif Pasha's submission of a Kurdish memorandum to the Paris Peace Conference was the first time Kurdish national aspirations were formally represented on the international diplomatic stage. He called for Kurdish rights and self-determination and engaged with the Allied Powers on behalf of the Kurdish people.
His agreement with the Armenian representative Boghos Nubar Pasha demonstrated that cross-community diplomacy for the minority peoples of eastern Anatolia was possible, though the subsequent political developments prevented implementation.
Timeline and Key Events
Debates, Controversies, and Historical Questions
Şerif Pasha's mandate to represent the Kurds was contested — some Kurdish leaders disputed his authority to speak for all Kurds. His collaboration with the Armenians was also criticised by some Kurdish nationalists. He resigned his representative position in 1920 amid controversy.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Şerif Pasha is historically significant as the first Kurdish diplomat to represent Kurdish national aspirations on the international stage. The Kurdish memorandum he submitted at Paris, and the brief inclusion of Kurdish provisions in the Treaty of Sèvres, represent the closest the international community came to recognising Kurdish self-determination in the 20th century.
Kurdish History Connections
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Şerif Pasha?
Şerif Pasha (1865-1951) was a Kurdish Ottoman diplomat who represented Kurdish national interests at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919-1920, becoming the first Kurdish diplomat to present Kurdish aspirations on the international stage.
Was Şerif Pasha Kurdish?
Yes. He is identified as Kurdish in historical sources and represented himself as a Kurdish national representative at Paris.
What was the Treaty of Sèvres?
The Treaty of Sèvres (1920) was the post-WWI peace treaty that included provisions for Kurdish autonomy in eastern Anatolia — the only international treaty ever to do so. It was superseded by the Treaty of Lausanne (1923) following the Turkish War of Independence, and its Kurdish provisions were never implemented.
References and Further Reading
Wikipedia contributors. 'Serif Pasha.' Wikipedia. Accessed 2025.
Wikipedia contributors. 'Treaty of Sevres.' Wikipedia. Accessed 2025.
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