Kurdistan
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani speaks at "The Kurdistan Region of Iraq: Unity and Constitution" conference in Erbil on May 19, 2021. Photo: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has joined calls for unity among Kurdish political parties in a conference to discuss the drafting of a Kurdistan Region constitution on Wednesday.
“We cannot ask for unity and move in two different directions,” he told the audience at Erbil’s Rotana hotel. “We cannot read each other’s minds. We have to be close to each other to know what each side wants.”
“What is most important is that all parties talk to each other closely, with an open mind, ready to listen to each other and accept each other…Then we can unite and together move towards that goal,” said the PM.
The conference, held by the University of Kurdistan-Hewler, is attended by top politicians, including President Nechirvan Barzani, Deputy PM Qubad Talabani and UNAMI chief Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, who made a frank speech calling for an end to party divides.
Members of the Gorran (Change) Movement and the Kurdistan Justice Group are among panelists discussing the drafting of a constitution, which has been in the works for some time.
“There has to be a framework in which we all can work together and that connects us to each other. That framework can also be enshrined in the constitution. What are the things that none of us can stray from? What are the things we can work together on? “ the PM said.
The Kurdistan Region does not currently have a constitution, instead governed by a series of laws, instructions and norms.
In 2019, Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Rewaz Fayeq called on Kurdish parties to unite and reach agreements before beginning to write a constitution. Work began on a draft constitution that year, but was later suspended.
In April of this year, MPs were asked to re-submit their agreements and disagreements to parliament in order to restart work on the draft.
The constitution is important to “guarantee that those who represent their people are patriots,” and to hold the government to account,” the PM added, also noting its importance for enshrining coexistence in the Region.
“It must be a reflection of respect for all religions and nations.”
Translation by Anis Ari
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