Deputy Speaker Hemin Hawrami and MPs welcome UK parliamentarians and Unite the trade union

Kurdistan Parliament MPs led by Deputy Speaker Hemin Hawrami on 16 September welcomed Members of the UK Parliament and representatives of Unite, the UK’s largest trade union. British MP Mr. Lloyd Russell-Moyle said, “We see Kurdistan as leading the way in the region.” He added, “We are here to show our support for your autonomy and purpose.” The delegation expressed their solidarity with the people of Kurdistan, as beacons of inclusiveness and diversity in the Middle East.

Deputy Speaker Hawrami highlighted the plight of Kurdish IDPs who fled Kirkuk, Shingal and other Kurdistani areas outside the KRG administrative area. The Kurdistan Parliament MPs and British delegation also discussed insecurity in Shingal, the risk of ISIS reemerging, Erbil-Baghdad talks to resolve outstanding issues, efforts to unify the Peshmerga forces, and Kurdistan’s commitment to upholding the rights of Christians, Turkmen, Yazidis and Armenians.

Mr. Hawrami said that the Kurdistan Parliament’s Presidency hopes to see the problems faced by Kurds in Turkey solved through negotiation and peaceful means. Parliament is against aggression by any side and asks all parties and states to respect the constitutional status of Kurdistan Region as an entity.

Several of the UK delegates said that Kurdistan Region had recovered well after the attacks and constitutional violations of 16th October 2017, following the Independence Referendum.  

The Kurdistan Parliament MPs briefed the UK delegation on the latest developments for the Yazidis, Turkmen, people from the disputed territories, and the essential role of the opposition parties. They asked the UK MPs to support capacity-building and building expertise.

The UK delegation included MPs Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Crispin Blunt, Adam Holloway, Lord Maurice Glasman and Simon Dubbins, International Director of Unite, the UK’s largest trade union.