Protecting Minority Rights and Defending Diversity in Kurdistan Region and Ninewa Plains

Erbil, 17 December 2020 – “Protecting Minority Rights and Defending Diversity in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the Ninewa Plains” was the theme of a workshop organized by JSSOR (“Bridge”) Youth Organization and jointly facilitated with UNAMI Human Rights Office (UNAMI HRO).

The event brought together over 40 participants, including 10 women from Baha’i, Chaldean, Christians, Jewish, Kaka’i, Muslims, Roma, Sabean Mandeans, Turkmen, and Zaradashti components. Also present were the KR Minister of Components Affairs, the Minister of Transport and Communications and representatives of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, two members of the Kurdistan Regional Parliament, and representatives of the Independent Board of Human Rights and the Erbil Provincial Council.. A similar JSSOR workshop to promote minority issues was held on the federal level in Baghdad earlier in December, and others are scheduled at the governorate level early next year.

The workshop in Erbil included discussion on measures to counter hate speech and the importance of women’s participation in the preservation and protection of cultural heritage and language in the Kurdish Region and Ninewa Plains. Participants also highlighted the need for continued advocacy for inclusion of linguistic and religious minority groups in the public education and school curriculums, and to continue efforts to raise awareness and foster a climate of tolerance and respect.

Recommendations included the establishment of a dedicated office to document conflict-related sexual violence crimes committed by Da’esh/ISIL against all minority groups to strengthen the awareness on the suffering and counter existing stigma within the communities, the enactment of laws criminalizing hate speech as well as constructing museums and language centres that promote the different components to reach a broader public.

Noel Kututwa of UNAMI HRO highlighted that "government, components and individuals share a common responsibility to preserve and respect Iraq’s diverse linguistic and cultural heritage". He added that UNAMI HRO will continue to support government efforts to strengthen the protection of components in support of its legal obligations.