Committees News

Kurdistan Parliament's culture committee in a statement conveyed their condolences on the passing of Dr. Izzadin Mustafa Rasoul, one of the greatest academics and researchers of Kurdish history and literature. The Relations and Kurdish Diaspora Committee discussed with Turkey's Consul General the problems that Kurdistan's citizens face at airports and land borders. 

Kurdistan Parliament's energy committee had a meeting to work on the bill to adopt Iraqi Law No. 9 of 2006 on the import and sale of petroleum products. The health committee met Erbil International Airport officials to discuss the problems with the process and quality control of importing medicines. 

Parliament's committees this week met with Ibrahim Khalil customs and quality control officials; decided to submit a report to Parliament's Presidency on the problems in healthcare seen on fact-finding visits to Duhok, Koya and Erbil; met with workers' representatives of the Communist Party; and visited social care departments in Koya. They also pledged to seek help for families of Kurdish Syrian forces killed fighting alongside the Peshmerga in the war against ISIS.   

Two committees of the Kurdistan Parliament on 30 September met with CFI, France's public agency that supports the development of media in southern countries, to learn about the agency's work and views.

Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Begard Talabani explained to the agriculture committee the ministry's plans to reorganise and unify Kurdistan's fruit markets and improve marketing of farmers' products. Minister Talabani suggested draft legislation to help the sector. MPs from the energy and finance committees went to Baghdad to meet with the Iraqi Council of Representatives' Petroleum and Energy Committee.  

The Culture, Civil Society, Sports and Youth Committee met civil society groups from Koya and Garmian who said that  a high board should be established to tackle narcotics on many fronts and to help drug addicts to recover. They also met with MPs from the Iraqi Council of Representatives' Sports and Youth Committee and discussed the problems between the Iraqi and Kurdistan Olympic committees. The environment committee discussed the problem of disposal of medical items and medical waste. 

The Integrity Committee went to Garmian and met the investigating judge for the Integrity Board who discussed the challenges of anti-corruption cases. The Head of Ninevah’s Provincial Council, Mr. Saido Chato, explained the problems facing people from Shingal and Zumar to the Committee on Kurdistan Areas outside the KRG Administrative area. 

To build the Kurdistan Parliament’s capacity and support MPs in their work, on 23 September MPs participated in a workshop on human rights. The workshop was run by UNAMI’s Human Rights Office together with Parliament’s Research Centre.

Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Dr. Rewas Faiq on 23 September chaired a meeting of the Legal Affairs Committee on preparing a report for the second reading of first amendments to Kurdistan Parliament’s Internal Rules of Procedure. At the second reading which will take place on 25 September, MPs will debate and give their opinions and suggestions on the proposed amendments. 

18 September – The chair and MPs of Kurdistan Parliament’s Committee on Social Affairs, Protection of Women’s Rights and Human Rights visited the city of Duhok and met with the General Directorate on Protecting and Developing Social Affairs. They discussed the problems faced by the directorates, and the staff suggested to the MPs relevant draft legislation that would help the sector. The committee members pledged to follow up on the issues raised in the meeting.