Committees' recent meetings - 31 March 2022
Martyrs, Genocide and Political Prisoners Committee
23 February – The committee read the correspondence sent to them and replied or raised them with the relevant authorities for follow-up.
The MPs discussed how to reorganize martyrs’ and genocide commemoration events and ceremonies. They stressed that they will continue to work for martyrs’ rights. They also discussed how to exhume and repatriate the remains of Anfal genocide victims in mass graves in Iraq, to a final resting place in Kurdistan Region.
15 March – The committee discussed the Halabja chemical attack commemoration event for the following day.
The committee decided to follow up on martyrs’ families’ problems and cases that they had raised with relevant authorities but have not yet been answered.
The MPs decided to write to the Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs to ask how the remains of Anfal genocide victims found in mass graves in Iraq will be repatriated to Kurdistan Region.
The committee read the correspondence sent to them and replied.
16 March – The committee issued this statement on the 34-year commemoration of the chemical bombardment of Halabja:
The chemical bombing of Halabja was the culmination of the Iraqi Ba’ath regime’s hatred of Kurdistan and of freedom. It was the regime’s revenge against the Kurdish people’s decades-long struggle against oppression, their determination to eliminate all Kurdish patriotic sentiment, it was their hatred for the continuation of the struggle for freedom and equality, their hatred for the Kurdistani people's insistence on democratic government.
The crime against Halabja was not only against all human rights and moral principles, but was also in flagrant violation of international law which bans and punishes such crimes under international conventions.
The Iraqi Parliament on 17 March 2011, based on the decision of the Iraqi Supreme Criminal Court of 28 February 2010, recognized the chemical attack against Halabja as genocide, and as such the Iraqi State must fulfill its legal responsibility as the inheritor government after the former Ba’ath regime.
We believe that the Iraqi federal government’s first responsibility is to help heal the wounds of the Kurdistani people by carrying out its legal duties of asking for forgiveness, giving compensation and helping to rebuild the city.
We call on the Kurdistan Regional Government, Kurdistan Parliament and political parties to help those suffering from health problems, to provide services to Halabja city and develop the province, which has become a symbol of the struggle and sacrifices of the Kurdish people.
We bow our heads to the martyrs of the chemical attack on Halabja and all the martyrs of Kurdistan.
22 March - The committee issued this statement condemning the denigration of the victims of the chemical bombardment of Halabja:
We condemn in the strongest terms any statement that does not take into account the sacrifices and suffering of the martyrs' families and that denigrates them. We also strongly condemn and completely reject any praise for the criminals who committed the Anfal genocide and the chemical attack on the Kurdish people.
Legal action must be taken against anyone who crosses these boundaries, because the martyrs’ sacrifices, the chemical bombardment of Halabja and the victims of the Anfal campaign are integral to our people’s identity.
We thank the judiciary and the police who arrested the accused, and we ask the court to bring the accused to justice if he is found guilty.
Endowments and Religious Affairs Committee
23 February – The committee decided to support the request by Hajj and Umrah (Muslim pilgrimage) companies in the independent administrations for government directorates for Hajj and Umrah to be established in their areas.
The committee read the correspondence sent to them and replied or raised them with Parliament’s Presidency for follow-up.
29 March – The committee read the correspondence sent to them and replied or raised them with Parliament’s Presidency for follow-up.
The committee asked the Kurdistan Regional Government to issue instructions and procedures to respect the forthcoming holy month of Ramadan and to monitor the market in order to prevent market abuse during Ramadan.
On the Law on the Sale and Lease of Public Assets in the Kurdistan Region, the committee decided to ask for special instructions and regulations from the ministries of finance, economy, municipalities and tourism on how to implement the provisions of the law.
The committee considered it important that the prosecution service take action against anyone denigrating any religion, religious tradition or ethnicity, which they considered dangerous acts that undermine peaceful coexistence.
31 March – The committee conveyed best wishes to Assyrians, Chaldeans and Syriacs for Akito:
On the occasion of the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year, Akito, we congratulate our Chaldean, Assyrian and Syriac brothers and sisters in the Kurdistan Region. We hope that Kurdistan will remain a fine example of peaceful coexistence between all religious and ethnic communities, so that we can all freely worship and freely carry out our religious duties.
Protection of Women’s Rights Committee
23 February - The committee issued this statement condemning the murder of Shynar Hunar by her husband:
Despite the legal, religious and traditional punishments and condemnation of killings of women in the Kurdish community, tragically not a month or week goes by without the killing of a woman in the Kurdistan Region. Today after nearly a week in hospital, Shnyar Hunar died from the severity of her burns, one of the many victims brutally killed in only the first two months of this year.
We convey our deepest sympathy to Shnyar’s family and to the families of the other eight women killed so far this year, and we condemn in the strongest terms this despicable crime.
We call on the relevant authorities and the judiciary to bring the criminals and murderers of women to justice under the toughest sentences to deter such crimes, which are a stain on our region.
We have begun to review laws that should be amended to provide much greater protection for women's lives and dignity, and to act as a real deterrence against femicide.
We will continue to be in close follow-up with the relevant authorities to bring the murderers to justice.
May the souls of the victims rest in peace.
7 March – The committee discussed the alarming rise in the number of killings of women. In the first two months of this year, 10 women were killed.
The committee expressed their alarm that laws are not being properly implemented or enforced for societal reasons, and they decided to meet with the relevant government and judicial authorities and civil sociey organizations, to tackle the obstacles.
The committee welcomed a delegation from the British Consulate General, who expressed their readiness to cooperate and support the committee by sharing the UK’s experience and expertise on women’s rights.
The committee explained their work so far on a new anti-domestic violence bill, the Bill on Combatting Violence Against Women and Families, and their other work.
The UK Consulate General officials raised the problems with women’s shelters in Kurdistan Region. The committee agreed to work on the issue.
MPs hold workshop in Soran on Bill on Combatting Violence against Women and Families
26 February - The Kurdistan Parliament branch office in Soran, with MPs Mala Waisi (KDP), Hasiba Gardi (KDP) and Khadija Omer Taha (KDP) held a workshop on the Bill on Combatting Violence against Women and Families, with legal, religious and sociology experts and university academics
The MPs explained the gaps in the existing anti-domestic violence law, Law No. 8 of 2011, and the aims of the new bill in terms of ending the current loopholes and strengthening the law.
Culture Committee and Legislative Committee
27 February – The two committees prepared the final voting report for the Bill on Protection of Archives, which is expected to be read and put to vote at the Parliament sitting of 1 March.
Interior, Security and Local Councils Committee
28 February – The committee discussed in great detail the legislative proposal on Application and Amendments to the Law on Seizure of Prohibited and Smuggled Goods for Trade in the Domestic Market (amended Law No. 18 of 2008), and prepared their voting report on the proposal, so that it can be put to vote at a Parliament sitting.
The committee read the correspondence sent to them and replied or raised them with the relevant authorities for follow-up.
Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research Committee
28 February – To discuss the university admissions process for high school graduates, the committee met with staff of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The Ministry explained their proposal on how to change the evaluation system for university admissions, in terms of students’ abilities and wishes.
The MPs gave their views on the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed changes to the admissions process.
Municipalities, Transport, Communication, Travel and Tourism Committee
2 March – The committee reviewed their recent work and discussed the Tourism Bill. The MPs decided that a meeting should be held on the bill with the relevant parties, under the supervision of Parliament’s Presidency.
The Tourism Bill consists of 20 articles and aims to bring legislation up to date by regulating tourism sites and the rights of tourists.
Health, Environment and Consumer Rights Committee
7 March - The committee discussed suggesting amendments to the environmental protection law, and proposing legislation on health insurance, food and drug institutions, and on health professionals' syndicates.
The MPs discussed the reasons for the stoppage of rubbish collection in Slemani and the impact on the public’s health. They emphasized the need to solve this important issue which is impacting the environment and public health.
The committee decided to meet with the Trade Minister and officials of the governorates and independent administrations to ask about the causes of the rise in prices of food, goods and basic necessities.
29 March – The committee discussed laws and legislative proposals related to regulation of the health sector, including the Law on Patients’ Rights. The committee decided to write to the Ministry of Health, through Parliament’s Presidency, to ask why this law has not been implemented or put into force.
The MPs expressed concerns about the price and quality of food and how the market is monitored and regulated. They decided that their consumer rights sub-committee will meet with the Minister of Planning to look into the work and effectiveness of the food quality and price control institutions.
Integrity Committee
7 March - The committee read the correspondence sent to them and replied or raised them with Parliament’s Presidency for follow-up.
The committee decided to look into the expenditure of funds allocated to combat the Coronavirus pandemic by visiting Erbil, Slemani and Garmian.
13 March – The committee went to Duhok to look into the spending of funds to combat the Coronavirus pandemic in the governorate.
The MPs visited Duhok governorate authorities, the provincial council and general directorate of health. They spoke with the Deputy Governor, relevant authorities in the provincial council, the general director of health and heads of departments in the general directorate of health, to carry out a thorough scrutiny of the costs of combatting the Coronavirus in Duhok.
28 March – The committee visited Erbil General Directorate of Health and asked the relevant parties in the administration and departments about their expenditure of funds allocated to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.
Social Affairs and Protection of Human Rights Committee
7 March - The committee read the correspondence sent to them and replied. They discussed the advisory reports on private sector workers’ years of service, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs’ Instruction No. 3 on this.
The MPs discussed the Bill on Amendments to Law No. 78 of 1980, the Law on Care of Minors, which has had its first reading at a Parliament sitting.
The committee arranged a programme of visits to prisons and social affairs directorates in the governorates and cities.
13 March – The committee met with the NGO National Central Organization for Human Rights to discuss the general human rights situation, and in particular murders of women which have increased recently in Kurdistan Region.
They also discussed the death penalty and the NGO’s 2021 report on prison inmates.
30 March – The committee read correspondence and replied.
The committee discussed their report on the legislative proposal on amendments to the amended Law on Care of Minors, Law No. 78 of 1980, which had its first reading at the Parliament sitting of 28 June 2021 (sitting number 16).
The committee decided to hold a special meeting soon to work on the report in cooperation with the relevant parties.
Regarding the application of Law No. 21 of 1998, the fifth amendment to the Law on Welfare of Juveniles (No. 76 of 1983), at the request of the Kurdistan Judicial Council, the committee decided to hold a special meeting on the issue in the presence of the speaker of parliament.
The committee decided to propose to Parliament’s Presidency an amendment to Article 8 of Law No. 8 of 2021, the first amendments to the Law on Rights and Privileges of Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs (Law No. 22 of 2011), as the Kurdistan Autism Association has requested that legislation be passed to permit paternity leave.
Finance and Economic Affairs Committee
7 March - The committee read the correspondence sent to them and replied or raised them with Parliament’s Presidency for follow-up.
The issue of the region's internal revenues was discussed, and for greater awareness and clarity, the committee decided to send three letters to the Council of Ministers to hold meetings with the Economic High Council, the General Directorates of Customs in Slemani and Erbil, customs border managers and the director-generals of commercial banks, to look into the internal revenues of Kurdistan Region.
Regarding the implementation of the Reform Law, the committee expressed concern over the KRG’s failure to send the latest report, which is scheduled to be sent to the committee every three months. The MPs decided to write to the Council of Ministers asking for the report to be submitted.
Regarding the retirement of government employees with high grades (senior positions), the MPs decided to write to the Council of Ministers for clarification on whether the Reform Law is being applied to those whose cases have been settled.
29 March – The committee discussed the inadequate pension distribution mechanism which is adversely impacting many people in Kurdistan Region, and decided to follow up on the possible solutions to the problem.
The meeting discussed previous activities and meetings and the report of the government's responses to the committee's correspondence.
The committee decided to write to Parliament’s Presidency about the opening of directorates of audit in Duhok and Halabja, and the 2019 law’s provisions in this regarding. They also decided to meet with the Kurdistan Board of Audit soon on the same subject.
The committee complained about the KRG’s failure to send a budget bill to Parliament and decided to hold a meeting with Parliament’s Presidency on the issue.
The committee met with the NGO Stop and discussed internal revenue, payment of public employees’ salaries and the overall financial situation. The NGO made some suggestions about how to refine the budget bill if it is submitted to Parliament.
The committee read the correspondence sent to them and replied or raised them with Parliament’s Presidency for follow-up.
Relations and Kurdish Diaspora Committee
9 March – The committee met with the British Consul General, Mr. David Hunt, at the UK Consulate General. The MPs raised the tragic drowning of Kurdistan Region migrants in boats in the English Channel, and asked for information about the missing victims.
The committee asked that the UK Government to make every effort to find the bodies of the victims. Consul General Hunt said that the UK would continue its efforts to find them.
The committee chair Dr. Rebwar Babkayi (KDP) spoke to the media to explain the purpose of the meeting.
15 March – The committee reviewed their recent meeting with the British Consul General in which they asked the UK to step up efforts to find the bodies of drowned Kurdistan Region migrants in the English Channel.
The committee decided to continue meetings with the consulates in Erbil, through the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, to look into the plight of migrants and the fate of those who are missing.
The MPs condemned the recent missile attack on Erbil and called on the Iraqi Federal Government and the international community to do more to prevent these attacks on Kurdistan Region’s and Iraq’s sovereignty, security and stability.
Peshmerga Committee
15 March – The committee decided to form some sub-committees to look into several Peshmerga issues and problems.
The committee read and replied to the correspondence sent to them.
29 March – The committee held an online meeting and decided to sign the legislative proposal on the rights and privileges of veteran Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Liberation Movement, and send it to Parliament’s Presidency so that it can have a first reading at a sitting.
Reconstruction and Investment Committee
15 March – The committee requested in writing that the KRG’s draft amendments to the Investment Law be submitted to the Kurdistan Parliament.
The MPs decided to scrutinize investment projects completed 10 years ago and to look into reconstruction projects, in particular roads.
They decided to ask the KRG Minister for Housing and Reconstruction for a meeting.
The MPs complained that they have not yet received from the government its proposed amendments to the Investment Law and decided to call the KRG Minister of Housing and Reconstruction to a Parliament sitting to discuss this issue.
The committee reviewed the correspondence that they had sent and received.
Legislative Committee
28 March - The committee reviewed suggestions and comments on the legislative proposal on Application and Amendments to the Law on Seizure of Prohibited and Smuggled Goods for Trade in the Domestic Market (amended Law No. 18 of 2008), and prepared their report so that a second reading of the bill can be held at a Parliament sitting.
29 March – The committee discussed amendments to the Bill on Application of the Law on Electronic Signatures and Electronic Transactions, and prepared their report on the bill for a second reading at a Parliament sitting.
Several committees attend UNDP workshop on UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and anti-corruption mechanisms
9 March – The Legislative, Financial and Economic Affairs, Integrity, and Parliament Affairs and Complaints committees attended a UNDP workshop on the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), a legally binding international multilateral treaty, and on anti-corruption mechanisms.
The UNDP workshop was organized in cooperation with Parliament’s Research Centre.
The workshop also discussed the Global Organization of Parliamentarians’ Doha Declaration on combatting corruption, which calls for parliamentarians to fulfill and increase their role in combatting corruption and greater scrutiny of the executive, and to uphold parliamentary ethics and integrity in their own work.
Another topic of the workshop was the EU-funded initiative to support the judiciary and justice system in the fight against corruption throughout Iraq, and to promote commercial dispute resolution. The project involves the UNDP, the KRG, the Iraqi Government and the judiciaries of Kurdistan Region and Iraq, with the goal of helping Iraq to fulfill its commitment to the UN Convention against Corruption.
Balen Ismail (Gorran, Change), Chair of the Integrity Committee, delivered a speech thanking Parliament’s Research Center and the UNDP for workshop. He highlighted the rate and types of corruption in Iraq and Kurdistan Region as well as ways to combat corruption, particularly those related to Kurdistan Region.
Hussein Hassan, an international law expert gave an overview of the UNCAC and its implementation mechanisms. Mohammed Haroun, a UNDP expert on anti-corruption legislation, explained the details of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians’ Doha Declaration on combatting corruption.