KRG Council of Ministers Calls on Iraqi Government to Address Injustices by Ensuring Financial Entitlements for the Kurdistan Region

On December 6, 2023, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani led a session of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Council of Ministers, with Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani in attendance.

The Prime Minister began proceedings by sharing insights from his participation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in Dubai.

The meeting’s first segment focused on a report by the KRG ministerial delegation regarding the Kurdistan Region’s budget and public sector salaries, following their discussions with the Iraqi government during the previous week.

The negotiating team provided comprehensive clarifications to the Council of Ministers. They highlighted the need to segregate public sector salaries and financial entitlements from political disputes. The team stressed the urgency of allocating these funds promptly and independently, advocating for the depoliticisation of the Kurdistan Region’s financial entitlements, especially in light of halted oil exports.

Additionally, the team emphasised that the current proposals from Baghdad do not address the financial needs of the Kurdistan Region, which requires approximately IQD 944 billion monthly and IQD 11 trillion annually. They argued that the federal government’s actions constitute a breach of the Kurdish people’s constitutional rights.

Consequently, the Council of Ministers is urging the federal government to expedite the amendment of the Federal Budget Law and submit it to Parliament for approval. This amendment should resolve the financial challenges facing the Kurdistan Region and its public sector employees, ensuring fair distribution of financial entitlements without entanglement in Public Actual Expenditure issues.

Politically, the KRG’s Council of Ministers appeals to Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s coalition government and its political parties to support the budget law amendment, rectify the ongoing injustices against the Kurdistan Region, and facilitate timely salary payments for KRG public sector employees.

Furthermore, the Kurdistan Region has met all its federal obligations, confirmed by the Joint Board of Supreme Audit. This includes fulfilling oil commitments by supplying the federal Ministry of Oil, despite the federal government’s failure to pay for oil production and transportation.

In the meeting’s second segment, Deputy Prime Minister Talabani addressed increasing violence against women. His report examined the causes, proposed solutions, and called for ministry collaboration and stakeholder engagement to combat this issue and enhance family well-being.

Prime Minister Barzani underscored the importance of protecting women’s rights in the Kurdistan Region. He called for strict measures and penalties against perpetrators of violence against women and initiated a comprehensive campaign to raise awareness and prevent such violence.

Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed presented a follow-up report on collaborative efforts with the High Council for Women and various civil society groups to overcome obstacles in enforcing anti-violence laws.

The Council of Ministers endorsed these reports and recommendations, reaffirming its support for the General Directorate for Combating Violence against Women and Family, and all organisations working to reduce violence.