Committees' recent meetings - 31 October 2019
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A summary of Kurdistan Parliament committees' recent meetings and activities:
Committee on Kurdistani Areas outside the KRG Administrative Area discuss impact of Iraq’s unrest on the Kurdistani areas
30 October – The committee held a meeting to discuss the impact of the current unrest and demonstrations in Iraq on Kurdistani areas outside the KRG Administrative Area. The chair Ms. Jiwan Rozhbayani (KDP) led the meeting.
The MPs discussed the Iraqi Council of Representatives’ decision on 28th October to form a committee to amend the Iraqi Constitution, a decision made in the wake of widespread protests and unrest in Iraq. The MPs stressed that people in the Kurdistani areas must be protected, fearing that amendments to the Constitution could undermine rights. They decided that they will consult with constitutional experts and lawmakers to protect in the constitution the rights of Kurdistani people in the Kurdistani areas outside of the KRG administrative area. They also decided to coordinate with the Kurdistani parties in the Iraqi House of the Representatives.
The committee also looked at the requests and complains sent to them by the public and decided on how to respond to them.
Committee on Kurdistani Areas outside the KRG Administrative Area meet representatives concerned about IDPs unable to vote in provincial elections
29 October - The committee held their regular meeting, led by the chair Ms. Jiwan Rojbayani (KDP). The committee welcomed representatives from Mandali, Khanaqin, Badra, Zorbatya, the Nineveh Plains and Kirkuk.
The representatives submitted their concerns and requests regarding the April 2020 Iraq provincial council elections. The Iraqi Electoral Commission has issued several decisions and instructions that violate the rights of voters and will affect Kurdish IDPs as well as other IDPs who wish to vote. IDPs from areas such as Kirkuk and Khanaqin can only register for voting cards and complete their biometrics in their original areas, which would effectively force them to return to vote.
The representatives asked the committee to push for the opening of voting card and biometric registration centres in the Kurdistan Region, because Kurdish IDPs cannot return to their original areas to register or vote.
Legislative Committee and Kurdistan Region Integrity Commission discuss amendments to law
29 October - The Legislative Committee and the Chair of Kurdistan Region’s Integrity Commission, Mr. Ahmed Anwar, held a meeting on making amendments to the Law on the Integrity Commission. They focused on the importance of the Integrity Commission’s functions, mission and task of tackling corruption. Mr. Anwar asked the Legislative Committee to amend the law to strengthen the Commission’s powers and fill legal gaps. The Legislative Committee said that they will draft a bill to make amendments to the law and ask for its reading to be held at a Parliament sitting.
Finance and Economic Affairs Committee: “Offices of the Board of Audit must be opened in Duhok and Halabja”
29 October - The committee held their regular meeting, led by the chair Mr. Ziyad Jabbar (PUK).
The committee discussed the letters and questions addressed to them, particularly those asking for their opinions on reforms that the government wants to implement.
The committee decided to meet the General Director of Customs in Kurdistan Region and the General Director of the Divan of the Ministry of Finance & Economy, to question them about the entry of goods and customs income, and to discuss the MPs’ recent report on Kurdistan’s border points.
The committee discussed Iraq Income Tax Law No. 113 of 1982 (amended) and fairness in taking taxes in terms of geographic location.
The committee also supported a report by the Kurdistan Region Integrity Commission advising that it is not possible to stop the system of grades and levels for KRG employees, and that it is important that employees’ grades and levels are determined according to laws and regulations.
The committee also decided that the Kurdistan Region Board of Audit must open offices in Duhok and Halabja. They do not yet have branches of the Board of Audit, even though by law each governorate must have one.
Energy, Natural Resources, Commerce and Industry meet with UK Consulate officials
29 October - The committee welcomed Mr. Vineti Anikat, Head of the Political Section of the British Consulate General in Erbil.
They discussed the talks and relations between the KRG and the Iraqi federal government, and their concerns about the Kurdistan Region’s share of the Iraqi budget following the demonstrations and unrest in Iraq that began on 25 October.
The committee asked the British government to play a positive role in helping Kurdistan Region to resolve outstanding issues with the Iraqi Government, especially on oil.
They discussed the talks between the KRG and the Iraqi federal government to finalize an agreement, which has been stalled because of the demonstrations in Baghdad and other cities in southern Iraq. The committee said they hope that the talks will restart when the situation normalizes.
Energy, Natural Resources, Commerce and Industry Committee
29 October - The committee held their regular meeting, led by the chair Mr. Balen Ismaeel (Change Movement). They discussed the reasons for oil products not being distributed to the public, and decided to scrutinize the problem. The committee decided to summon the heads of the natural resources committees of the provincial councils, to gather information about licensed and unlicensed oil refineries and the problems in these areas.
Culture, Civil Society, Sports and Youth Committee
29 October - The committee led by the chair Mr. Luqman Wardi (PUK) met officials from the General Directorate of Sport led by Dr. Shakir Ahmed Smko, the General Director for Sport at the Ministry of Culture.
The committee requested the meeting to understand how the 2 billion IQD dinars given by the KRG for sports centres is being spent.
The ministry officials clarified how the amount is distributed to sports centres in Kurdistan’s municipalities. They raised the difficulties that they face and suggested that a special law for sport centres in Kurdistan is needed. The ministry officials and the committee decided to have further discussions on these problems.
Martyrs’ Affairs, Genocide and Political Prisoners Committee
29 October - The committee held their regular meeting, led by the chair Ms. Sawsan Hassan Mirkhan (KDP). They read and discussed all the requests directed to them by Parliament’s Presidency and from the public, and replied to all of them. They also reviewed their recent meetings with the ministries of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs, Finance, and Education where they urged them to give university places to families of martyrs and political prisoners. They stressed the need to establish proper procedures to avoid creating problems during the process.
The committee and officials from the Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs discussed the search and exhumation of mass graves of Anfal and genocide victims, and the importance of proper forensic process, preservation and documentation. The committee decided to report on the meeting to Parliament’s Presidency.
Peshmerga, Interior, Security and Local Councils Committee
29 October - The committee held their regular meeting, led by the chair Mr. Reving Heruri (KDP). They welcomed Police officers from the Ministry of Interior and heard their concerns and requests. The MPs also discussed the letters addressed to the committee by Parliament’s Presidency, and complaints and requests sent by the public, and made decisions on them. They also discussed their plans to visit Peshmerga locations and offices in the near future.