Politics

Coexistence in Kurdistan Region Example for Iraq, says Independent Chaldean Figure

“removal of quota seats, the abolition of the quota system, the deprivation of our rights or anything else, has no effect on the coexistence in the Kurdistan Region," he said.

Kurdistan 24 2024/03/10 12:59

An independent Chaldean figure, Ziya Petros, in an interview with Kurdistan 24, March 10. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)

Kurdistan Quota seats Ethnic and Religious Communities KRG Parliamentary Elections

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - An independent Chaldean figure, Ziya Petros, in an interview with Kurdistan 24, said that the coexistence of the Kurdistan Region is an example for the entire of Iraq.

Zia Petros highlighted that the, “removal of quota seats, the abolition of the quota system, the deprivation of our rights or anything else, has no effect on the coexistence in the Kurdistan Region. This coexistence is an example throughout Iraq.”

He also stated that “If there were greater coexistence in Iraq, we could better defend our rights, particularly in parliament, legislation, and we could’ve followed up better. However, that seems unlikely. Based on our relationships with political parties, many express concern due to the blatant injustices perpetrated against our communities.”

Having been part of and represented the ethnic and religious communities in the Kurdistan Region for the past 30 years and through the previous five cabinets, “today, and in a blink of an eye and by a single decision, the quota seats were removed,” Petros exclaimed.

“This comes as the quota seats in Baghdad and Provincial Councils remain as they are,” he added.

Petros inquired, "The prevailing question among ethnic and religious communities in the Kurdistan Region is whether the removal of quota seats from its parliament implies that these seats are deemed unconstitutional here, while those in Baghdad are not."

Referring to the quota seats that the ethnic and religious communities of the Kurdistan Region had had before, Petros emphasized that the, “Federal Court opted for the worst choice. I believe the international community is now treating this matter seriously. Yesterday, the US Congress decided to penalize Iraq for this decision, recognizing that it suppresses public opinion, affecting communities and promoting discrimination.”

He pointed out that the European Parliament also held a meeting in Brussels yesterday on this issue and showed its concerns; “The international community might not interfere in the legislative power in a country. However, they can urge a country and put it under pressure to revert a decision,” he assessed.