KRG refuses to talk about annulling referendum as Baghdad welcomes federal court ruling

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – On Monday, the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court with the unanimous vote of the members ruled that the referendum on independence held in the Kurdistan Region on Sep. 25 was unconstitutional.

The federal court ruling stated that the referendum held in the Kurdistan Region and areas outside of the Region conflicts with and opposes the Article 1 of the Iraqi Constitution, adding that the Constitution does not allow secession of any part of the federal entity.

The Office of the Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi in a statement welcomed the decision of the Federal Court on Kurdistan’s referendum, calling all sides to avoid making any decision that violates the constitution and law.

“The decision is a further indication of the government’s constitutional position to impose federal jurisdiction and reject the referendum,” the statement said.

In response, the KRG PM Nechirvan Barzani in a press conference following a cabinet meeting in Erbil said that we do talk about annulling referendum.

“The Iraqi Federal Court has interpreted an article in the Constitution; we respect that article,” Barzani said.

He explained that if the Iraqi government had fully implemented the Constitution and not violated its articles, there would not have been any problems between Erbil and Baghdad as the Constitution guarantees the rights of the Kurds.  

“The Constitution of Iraq is not a menu from which to pick your favorite items,” Barzani said. “It is a package deal where all of its articles are meant to be implemented.”

Kurdish officials have repeatedly criticized the Federal Government of Iraq for violating over 50 articles in the Constitution of Iraq and treating the people in the Kurdistan Region as second-class citizens, an accusation Baghdad rejects.

Editing by Sam A.