'Hundreds of companies have been shutdown for human trafficking,' says senior KRG official
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Dr. Dindar Zebari, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Coordinator for International Advocacy, presented a speech at the second National Plan for Human Rights Conference in Baghdad on Sunday, highlighting the steps taken by the KRG to implement its human rights plan, while also discussing progress made in other areas by the Kurds.
“The KRG is working to protect and promote human rights as well as the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Iraqi constitution,” the senior official noted.
Zebari also said that after the Presidency of the Council of Ministers approved the plan in Sept. 2021, the Office of the KRG Coordination for International Advocacy prepared five reports on the plan's implementation and conducted about 60 workshops and 40 meetings.
“The final report of the plan presents the progress made in implementing the recommendations in 2023, which increased by 25%,” Zebari added.
Furthermore, he emphasized the battle against human trafficking and stated that the KRG pays special attention to this issue. Specifically, 138 cases have been investigated, 432 companies have been closed, and 998 companies have been under surveillance.
"Hundreds of companies have also been closed and suspended, some of which have been sent for investigation on charges related to human trafficking," he continued.
As part of his speech, Dr. Zebari also stated that Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has agreed to provide housing units for women who are victims of violence.
Zebari then discussed corruption in the Kurdish region, stating that 334 cases involving extortion, fraud, and embezzlement, among other financial crimes, have been sent to the courts this year.
On the topic of press freedoms, Zebari added that the Kurdish government has cracked down on violence against journalists, and 31 people were sentenced on charges related to the matter.
Lastly, the official later touched upon the opioid epidemic in the Kurdistan Region, stating that the number of convicted drug users and traffickers has reached 2,676 people in prisons.
Dr. Zebari’s attendance marks the first time the KRG has participated in this National Plan for Human Rights Conference.
I gave a speech at the 2nd National Human Rights Conference alongside federal officials, including PM @mohamedshia, with UN agencies and foreign reps.
— Dr. Dindar Zebari (@KRG_Coordinator) December 10, 2023
I highlighted KRG's Human Rights Action Plan progress and challenges. We are preparing the second-year implementation report. pic.twitter.com/OBOJ4mGSdL