Minority groups should not be part of political conflicts: President Nechirvan Barzani

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – On Sunday, the president of Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani in a meeting with a number of the representatives and political parties of minority groups in Kurdistan Region, reiterated support for the rights of minorities and reaffirmed that they should not be interfered in political conflicts, according to Kurdistan Region's presidency statement.

The meeting with the representatives comes following complaints in the past days from lawmakers in the Kurdistan Parliament against the quota of seats religious and ethnic minorities receive under the pretext certain political blocs enjoy more rights.

"[President Barzani] reiterated his and Kurdistan Region Presidency's full support for all ethnic and religious groups in the Kurdistan Region and emphasized that they are ancient components and citizens of the Kurdistan Region," the statement from Barzani's read.

Barzani also added, "the freedoms of all communities in Kurdistan must be recognized and safeguarded and that these communities must not be dragged into internal political disputes."

The president affirmed that "any form of pressure against the ethnic and religious communities in the Kurdistan Region will not be accepted."

The former president of Kurdistan Region and the current head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, on early May, expressed his concern in a statement over the verbal attack on minority groups in Kurdistan Region and said, "I would like to confirm that we will continue supporting the minorities – as they are an integral part of the Kurdish nation – with all their rights reserved."

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In the meeting, the minority groups reaffirmed their "appreciation" and "gratitude" for the tolerant and coexistent environment of the Kurdistan Region. They also added, "The existence of diverse ethnic and religious minority groups is a pride as it portrays a nice image for Kurdistan Region, and it must be protected and defended."

Zyaa Petrous, Head of the Independent Human Rights Commission in the Kurdistan Region (IHRCKR), who is also a minority representative, spoke out against the verbal assault targeting minorities inside the parliament.

"We do not believe that the minorities' quota seats should be compromised every time there is a political dispute or struggle," Petrous was quoted as saying in a statement by the IHRCKR.

Editing by Laurie Mylroie