BAGHDAD, Iraq —MPs from the Kurdistan Region unilaterally condemned this week’s beating of two Arab tourists from Basra while in Erbil.
The Kurdish MPs, with their counterparts from Basra in attendance, gave a statement at Parliament, which was read by Arafat Karam, the head of KDP faction.
On Thursday, the Head of Erbil Police Hogir Aziz also confirmed that no one had filed a complaint with his department.
At least 12 people have been arrested after video was widely shared of the incident.
The Kurdish MPs, with their counterparts from Basra in attendance, gave a statement at Parliament, which was read by Arafat Karam, the head of KDP faction.
“Those arrested shall be a lesson” said Arez Abdullah, a PUK MP, on Saturday in Baghdad, explaining that it should be an example so no one else will repeat such an incident. “We are condemning the incident together with our friends from Basra.”
Erbil’s Governor Nawzad Hadi has described the beating that occurred in the center of the city on Wednesday as “unwanted and unacceptable.”
“We will do our best to preserve the integrity of Iraq, including all its components,” read a statement by Karam.
Tourists from all parts of Iraq visit the Kurdistan Region for its different climate, mountains, attractions, and diversity. Its peak tourism season is the spring and summer months.
“Kurdistan has been best example of coexistence in history … Kurdistan has embraced all religious and ethnic elements without discrimination,” the statement added.
The tourists did not file a lawsuit and have left Erbil, Governor Hadi said on Thursday. He assured visitors that authorities will not allow such behavior to become precedent in Erbil and the Kurdistan Region.
On Thursday, the Head of Erbil Police Hogir Aziz also confirmed that no one had filed a complaint with his department.
At least 12 people have been arrested after video was widely shared of the incident.
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment