KRG Delegate Delivers Speech on Combating Discrimination at the UN

On Wednesday, 14 August 2024, joint reports were presented by the Republic of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva.

 

Below is the full transcript of the speech delivered by Dindar Zebari, the Coordinator of International Recommendations for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG):

Esteemed Chairman of the Committee,
Honorable Members,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good day to you all.
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the significant progress made by the Kurdistan Regional
Government (KRG) in eradicating racial discrimination. The KRG has implemented comprehensive
initiatives aimed at fostering a society free from all forms of discrimination. As part of these efforts,
numerous cases have been meticulously examined over the past two years.
Between 2019 and 2023, the Kurdistan Regional Parliament enacted 35 new statutes and advanced 7
draft bills for parliamentary consideration. Furthermore, substantial amendments were made to existing
legislation to strengthen the protection of public liberties. Additionally, over 12 statutes were specifically
enacted to combat gender-based discrimination.
These initiatives are part of the Kurdistan Regional Government's unwavering commitment to
implementing its five-year Action Plan for Human Rights. In this regard, six comprehensive reports have
been compiled, providing a thorough evaluation of the implementation process of the plan’s
recommendations. This analysis reflects the coordinated efforts of the relevant institutions across the
three pillars of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.
At the executive level, 448 recommendations were issued, with the compliance rate significantly
improving to 74.1% in 2023. Of the 19 recommendations related to combating discrimination and hate
speech, 15 have been fully implemented, with the remaining 3 currently in progress.
Regarding the rights of foreign workers registered with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, totaling
88,652 from 2008 through the first half of 2024, they are accorded the same entitlements and protections
as local workers. A high-level committee has been established to regulate their recruitment, along with a
specialized committee dedicated to overseeing the welfare of female foreign workers. Moreover, a
dedicated hotline (5500) has been established to efficiently address and resolve any grievances.
In documenting the atrocities committed by ISIS terrorists, the Kurdistan Regional Government has
meticulously cataloged the records of thousands of abducted individuals, totaling 24,965 files and
408,540 pages. To date, 3,579 abductees have been successfully liberated. Under the leadership of Prime
Minister Masrour Barzani, the Kurdistan Regional Government has instituted a monthly financial
assistance program to provide sustained support to ISIS survivors. Additionally, a specialized
psychological treatment facility has been established in Dohuk, delivering critical care to hundreds of
survivors. Furthermore, more than a thousand survivors have been transferred to Germany to receive
advanced psychological treatment as part of our broader efforts to facilitate their rehabilitation.
The Kurdistan Regional Government remains resolute in its commitment to combating narcotics and
psychotropic substances. Through rigorous enforcement measures, 5,870 individuals involved in drugrelated
offenses have been detained. This pervasive issue not only threatens public security but also
destabilizes the region, hindering the safe and dignified return of border communities and displaced
populations to their native territories.
To address overcrowding in correctional facilities while safeguarding family cohesion, comprehensive
drafts of the Correctional Facility Bill and the Alternative Sentences Bill have been developed. Dedicated
healthcare centers have been established within correctional institutions to ensure the provision of
exemplary medical care. Each facility maintains meticulously curated records, ensuring precise and
systematic documentation of all pertinent data. To further enhance security and institutional
accountability, advanced surveillance cameras have been installed across all correctional facilities.
Moreover, in our commitment to upholding human rights and fostering transparent oversight, two
specialized grievance mechanisms have been instituted: one under the Ministry of Labor and Social
Affairs, and the other under the Independent Commission for Human Rights.
In the ongoing pursuit of justice and human rights, the Kurdistan Regional Government made significant
strides in 2023. A total of 32 cases of torture were submitted to the judiciary for formal adjudication.
Additionally, 5 legal actions were initiated in response to allegations of torture against journalists.
Penalties were enforced in 31 cases involving violence, with one case still under investigation. The Public
Prosecution has also initiated legal proceedings against journalists in connection with these serious
allegations.
The Kurdistan Region has undertaken significant measures to substantially limit the imposition of the
death penalty. However, from 2022 until August 11, 2024, 470 individuals, including 11 foreign
nationals, were sentenced to capital punishment. Additionally, the sentences of 4 individuals were
commuted from death to life imprisonment.
The Kurdistan Region is currently hosting nearly one million displaced individuals and refugees. The
Regional Government is steadfast in its commitment to advancing the voluntary repatriation of these
displaced populations. In early August, the government successfully facilitated the voluntary return of
266 families to their areas of origin. Furthermore, earlier initiatives enabled the repatriation of 271
displaced families to the Hasan Sham area, underscoring our unwavering dedication to addressing the
needs of displaced communities with utmost care and responsibility.
To preserve and advance the cultural rights of religious and ethnic communities, specialized General
Directorates for Turkmen and Syriac Studies have been established. This initiative has led to the creation
of 18 schools delivering instruction in the Turkmen language, serving 2,565 students, and 24 schools
offering Syriac language education to 1,708 students. Additionally, a dedicated authority within the
Dohuk Governorate Education Department has been appointed to oversee and enhance the curriculum
for Yazidi studies, ensuring a robust and inclusive framework for cultural education.
The regional government has issued directives to ensure that Friday sermons are devoid of any
manifestations of extremism, with a strong emphasis on fostering peaceful coexistence among diverse
communities. In support of this initiative, 1,800 preachers have been formally recognized for their
exemplary efforts, and assistance has been provided to 321 preachers who have been instrumental in
promoting the principles of coexistence and repudiating hatred. Additionally, a Friday sermon was
delivered in the Turkmen language at a mosque in Erbil, highlighting the region's commitment to
inclusivity and cultural reverence.
The Gipsy (commonly referred to as "Karajs") population in the region exceeds 30,000 individuals. In a
committed effort to safeguard and promote their rights, the Ministry of Interior has sanctioned the
creation of a Gipsy Cultural Center and has implemented tailored provisions to facilitate the issuance of
official documentation. In the sphere of education, considerable progress has been achieved, with 85
Gipsy individuals having attained university degrees and an additional 1,125 actively pursuing academic
endeavors at various educational levels.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has recorded a total of 78,335 individuals with disabilities and
special needs, with 5,617 employed in the public sector and over 13,249 engaged in the private sector. In
a concerted effort to promote inclusivity, the Ministry of Culture and Youth has also instructed visual
media outlets to incorporate sign language into their broadcasts, advancing accessibility and ensuring
equitable communication for all segments of our society.
The Kurdistan Regional Parliament enacted the Anti-Domestic Violence Law No. 8 of 2011, with
ongoing efforts dedicated to its revision. In alignment with this statute, five safe houses have been
established to offer sanctuary to women under threat, currently sheltering 91 individuals, including 21
foreign nationals. In 2023, the Investigation and Misdemeanor Courts received 18,620 domestic violence
complaints, of which 10,897 have been satisfactorily resolved.
In 2023, the judiciary adjudicated 313 cases involving underage and forced marriages. Upon receipt of
these reports, swift legal interventions are enacted with the foremost objective of preventing the
consummation of such unions and ensuring that individuals implicated in, or abetting, these
transgressions are rigorously held accountable in accordance with the law.
Regarding the advancement of women's representation in leadership roles, women have ascended to
esteemed positions, including the role of Speaker of Parliament and various ministerial appointments.
Within the judiciary, the presence of women is notable, with 72 female judges, 65 female public
prosecutors, over 200 female judicial officers, and 500 female judicial investigators. Furthermore, the
Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate boasts 1,600 female journalists, 57 female media proprietors, and 74
female editors-in-chief, underscoring their substantial influence within the media industry.
In efforts to combat human trafficking, specialized task forces conducted comprehensive inspections
across 196 companies. These efforts resulted in the referral of 13 companies for legal action, the
apprehension of 62 individuals on trafficking-related offenses, and the conviction of 8 perpetrators.
Additionally, 90 investigative files were successfully adjudicated, out of a total of 190 cases under
investigation.
With profound gratitude and utmost appreciation, I thank you.