UN calls for fair elections in Iraq; highlights activist killings, Erbil-Baghdad disputes

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Special Representative for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on Wednesday called attention to the recent killings of activists, called for efforts to ensure that Iraq's upcoming election will be "free and fair," and urged officials from the federal government and the Kurdistan Region to continue ongoing dialogue to resolve longstanding disputes between them. 

Plasschaert made the comments while briefing session on developments in Iraq of the UN Security Council in New York.

She stated that corruption is still rampant in the Middle Eastern nation and that its economic cost is "indescribable" as it continues to siphon off critically needed resources from ordinary Iraqis, which leads to the erosion of investor confidence.

The special UN representative also pointed out that "the high number of killings, targeting of activists and human rights defenders is a matter of grave concern."

Read More: HRW: Iraq has done little to stop assassinations of activists

Regarding the Iraqi election scheduled for June 2021, Plasschaert stated that "the Independent High Electoral Commission must be strengthened and freed from constant political pressures."

"The elections must be credible," she argued, noting that "this is not the responsibility of the Independent High Electoral Commission and the government only, but it is the responsibility of all Iraqi political actors and election stakeholders."

"Iraq is expected to witness a decline of 9.7 percent in GDP, and oil revenues have nearly halved, which has been hit hard by the sharp collapse in crude prices," she warned.

Regarding Erbil and Baghdad relations, Plasschaert emphasized that constructive negotiations are the only viable way forward to address critical unresolved issues that include those surrounding oil, budget, and territories disputed by the two.

She added, “Kurdistan Region has initiated reform efforts to eliminate corruption, and nothing must be allowed to interrupt this process.”   

Editing by John J. Catherine