Iraq removes Kurdish language from ration card as part of punitive measure

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – In a new punitive measure against the Kurdistan Region following the Sep. 25 referendum, the Federal Government of Iraq has removed the Kurdish language from the annual food coupon, a move the Kurdish government refuses to accept.

Director of Sulaimani Ration Card office Yassin Mahmoud Hama told a local Kurdish news outlet that the Directorate General of the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Trade and Industry asked all officials to reject the new cards due to the removal of the Kurdish language.

He mentioned that contrary to previous years, the card displayed both the Arabic and Kurdish languages. However, for the New Year, Baghdad had removed the Kurdish language.

Hama noted that their directorate office was waiting for confirmation from the Ministry to receive the new ration cards or until Baghdad reprinted them with the Kurdish language included.

The Director also mentioned that Baghdad claimed the new card had nothing to do with the Oct. 16 attack and takeover of Kirkuk Province and other disputed territories by Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed Shia militias, claiming they were printed before then.

Analysts in the Kurdistan Region label the decision as part of the collective punitive measures imposed by the Iraqi government on Kurdistan in response to the historic independence referendum.

The ration card is related to the Oil-for-Food Programme established by the United Nations in 1995 under the UN Security Council Resolution 986.

The program was created in response to UN sanctions on the dictatorial system in Iraq which allowed the country to sell oil in the world market in exchange for food, medicine, and other humanitarian needs for Iraqi citizens.

According to Article 4 of the Iraqi Constitution, “The Arabic language and the Kurdish language are the two official languages of Iraq.” The article also states that publication of official documents and speeches should be written in both languages.

Kurdish officials have repeatedly accused Baghdad of cherry-picking when it comes to the Iraqi Constitution, ignoring 55 articles.

The Kurdish leadership also highlighted that the Sep. 25 referendum would not have been held if Baghdad had implemented all the articles of the constitution.

The relationship between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi government has considerably deteriorated following the independence vote.

The referendum received overwhelming support for secession from Iraq, but Baghdad refused to recognize the results and instead responded by imposing collective punitive measures against Kurdistan, including the use of military force in disputed areas.

The KRG has shown its flexibility, offering to freeze the results of the referendum, but Baghdad demands a full annulment instead.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany