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C I N M E N A

Confederation of Indigenous Nations of the Middle East and North Africa (CINMENA)

The Middle East—long regarded as a tinderbox of tribal and religious conflicts—is also the world’s cradle of civilizations. As such, even today the Middle East is home to a remarkable rainbow of ancient nations, each wishing to safeguard its own distinctive linguistic, religious and cultural heritage as well as its own beloved homeland.

The Confederation of Indigenous Nations of the Middle East and North Africa (CINMENA) is governed by principles including the following:

Article 1—Membership

The Confederation of Indigenous Nations of the Middle East Alliance is open to all nations of the Middle East (hereafter called the Parties) that:

have organized social traditions, territory and a system of self-government;
identify as indigenous;
wish for autonomy; and
agree with the founding principles of this Confederation.

Article 2—Peaceful Means

“The Parties undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered.”
-CINMENA 2020 Treaty of Shingal

The rise of religious fundamentalism and intolerance in the Middle East came to a head in 2014 with the emergence of the so-called Islamic State and its genocidal policies targeting Yezidis and other threatened minorities.

“Out of concern for collective self-protection, the Yezidi have pulled together with the Mandaeans, Shabak, Shia Kurds, Assyrians, and Zoroastrians in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere. We have made important diplomatic initiatives with states and indigenous nations. And we have taken significant steps toward negotiating a self-governing agreement with the Iraqi government.”
-Nallein Satana Al-Jilwah Sowilo, Co-Convener of CINMENA