ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Thursday received a US state department delegation in Erbil, touching on a range of issues, primarily “safeguarding” human rights in the Region, according to the Kurdistan Region Presidency. 

The statement read that the focus of the meeting between President Barzani and the US delegation, led by Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya, was on “safeguarding human rights, advancing democracy, and upholding freedoms in the Kurdistan Region. The conversation also touched upon the significance of NGOs in society, as well as the conditions for refugees and local populations.”

“Both parties engaged in a constructive dialogue regarding various observations and deficiencies in the domains of human rights and freedoms. They agreed on the importance of ongoing collaboration between their respective stakeholders to enhance these aspects. Furthermore, they reaffirmed their dedication to fostering shared values and safeguarding the rights of ethnic and religious communities,” the statement added. 

Zeya was in Baghdad before meeting with President Barzani in Erbil. 

The US Department of State said in a statement on Wednesday that she would discuss with President Barzani and other Kurdish officials “U.S. support for a democratic, stable, secure, and prosperous Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR), including on protections for human rights; media freedom; and support to refugees and internally displaced persons.”

“She will also engage representatives of Iraq’s diverse religious communities, internally displaced persons, and other civil society leaders. Throughout her visit, Under Secretary Zeya will encourage Iraqi federal and IKR leaders to deliver progress for survivors of the ISIS genocide, including Yezidis and other religious and ethnic groups, the ten-year anniversary of these atrocity crimes approaches,” added the department. 

Last month, the United States state department stated in its annual global report on human rights practices for 2023, that human rights conditions in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region had worsened compared to the previous year, citing the imposition of increased restrictions on fundamental freedoms and civic space by both Erbil and Baghdad.