KRG promises financial support for protesting students
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - After days of student protests that have been met with violence, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) decided on Wednesday to provide funds for the ministry of higher education to improve the situation of students who have demanded reinstatement of a living allowance that was cut seven years ago.
“The Council of Ministers decided to dedicate financial support for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for improving the condition of dormitories as well as institution and university students,” read a statement issued after a cabinet meeting.
It is not clear how much money the KRG will provide, but government spokesperson Jotiar Adil told reporters, “It will be spent in a way that is in the favor of the students.” He added that a committee has been formed to register students who need financial support.
RELATED: Sulaimani security forces use tear gas in the fourth day of student protests
The protests, now into their fourth consecutive day in Sulaimani, call on the KRG to reinstate their student allowance, which has been cut since 2014 due to the financial crisis. Students at public universities used to receive 40,000 to 100,000 dinars [$27-67] monthly. The protests have spread to other cities and towns, including the regional capital Erbil.
Iraqi President Barham Salih on Wednesday said he was concerned about the unrest in Sulaimani.
"The peaceful protest of the students for their demands is a constitutional right, violence against civilians and the public security is condemned. It is the duty of the security forces to protect the protesters. Let's protect peace, rights of people, public property and the sacred [things] of the homeland," he tweeted.
Salih is a member of the PUK leadership and he founded the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS).
The Emtidad Movement, an Iraqi political party born out of protests, on Tuesday condemned the "illegitimate violence and attack by the oppressing authorities in the Kurdistan Region against the protesters."
It said it supports the students and would "file a lawsuit against any person who was involved or used live ammunition" against all Iraqi protesters.
Universities in Sulaimani have suspended classes for six days because of the unrest.
“The Council of Ministers decided to dedicate financial support for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for improving the condition of dormitories as well as institution and university students,” read a statement issued after a cabinet meeting.
It is not clear how much money the KRG will provide, but government spokesperson Jotiar Adil told reporters, “It will be spent in a way that is in the favor of the students.” He added that a committee has been formed to register students who need financial support.
RELATED: Sulaimani security forces use tear gas in the fourth day of student protests
The protests, now into their fourth consecutive day in Sulaimani, call on the KRG to reinstate their student allowance, which has been cut since 2014 due to the financial crisis. Students at public universities used to receive 40,000 to 100,000 dinars [$27-67] monthly. The protests have spread to other cities and towns, including the regional capital Erbil.
Iraqi President Barham Salih on Wednesday said he was concerned about the unrest in Sulaimani.
"The peaceful protest of the students for their demands is a constitutional right, violence against civilians and the public security is condemned. It is the duty of the security forces to protect the protesters. Let's protect peace, rights of people, public property and the sacred [things] of the homeland," he tweeted.
Salih is a member of the PUK leadership and he founded the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS).
The Emtidad Movement, an Iraqi political party born out of protests, on Tuesday condemned the "illegitimate violence and attack by the oppressing authorities in the Kurdistan Region against the protesters."
It said it supports the students and would "file a lawsuit against any person who was involved or used live ammunition" against all Iraqi protesters.
Universities in Sulaimani have suspended classes for six days because of the unrest.
Updated at 8:08 pm