ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – In another step toward political reforms announced last week following nationwide demonstrations, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a decree Sunday announcing the elimination of several deputies and combining some ministries.
At least three Kurds were in positions that are to be eliminated: Baian Nuri, minister of state for women’s affairs, Saman Abdulla, minister of state for provincial affairs and Roj Nuri Shaways, third deputy prime minister.
According to the decree, the ministries of human rights, the state ministry for women’s affairs and ministry of provincial affairs are to be combined.
The ministry of science and technology also will now fall under the ministry of higher education and scientific researches.
Other changes include the environment ministry coming under the direction of the ministry of health, the tourism ministry combining with the ministry of culture and the ministry of municipalities being fused with the ministry of housing and reconstruction.
The council of ministries is responsible for starting the legal procedures to make the changes.
More than 10,000 Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad on Friday, gathering at the capital’s Tahrir Square to protest a lack of services and show support for reforms proposed by Abadi.
Lack of basic services, such as electricity and water, have led to widespread dissatisfaction among Iraqis.
