Latest news with #PropertyRestitutionLaw
Shafaq News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Sulaimani Forum 2025: President Barzani calls for peace talks, article 140 action
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani urged Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to activate Article 140 of the constitution on disputed territories and voiced support for renewed peace efforts between Turkiye and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Speaking at the Suiaimani Forum held at the American University of Iraq, Barzani praised al-Sudani's efforts to resolve longstanding issues between the Regional Government (KRG) and Baghdad. He urged swift implementation of the Property Restitution Law and reactivation of the committee tasked with implementing Article 140. 'In the Kurdistan Region, we remain committed to the Iraqi constitution as the framework for managing our relationship with Baghdad,' Barzani said. 'The principles of federalism, pluralism, and partnership are key to ensuring equal rights for all Iraqis.' He lauded al-Sudani's role in facilitating the recent recognition of Halabja as Iraq's 19th province, describing it as a significant step forward. 'Prime Minister al-Sudani's vision to expand common ground and reduce differences is the right path forward,' Barzani said. Turning to regional issues, Barzani voiced strong support for Turkiye's renewed efforts to engage in peace talks with the PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. 'This is a historic opportunity to establish peace and stability,' he said. 'We welcome this process and are committed to supporting its success.' Barzani also stressed the need to activate the Kurdistan Parliament and urged the Region's leading political parties to expedite the formation of a new government in Erbil that can meet public expectations and respond effectively to current challenges. Addressing broader global concerns, Barzani pointed to shared threats such as climate change, water scarcity, and forced displacement, saying these issues require coordinated international action. 'Thousands in Iraq have been displaced due to water shortages,' he said. 'We believe in joint cooperation to address these challenges, and the international community must bear its shared responsibility.'
Shafaq News
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Kirkuk: Kurds face army blockades despite land return ruling
Shafaq News/ Kurdish farmers in Kirkuk's Dibis district are still unable to access and cultivate their land despite the passage of the Property Restitution Law in the Iraqi Parliament, a local representative said on Sunday. Kurdish MPs and officials argue that the law aims to return properties to their original Kurdish and Turkmen owners, confiscated under eight decisions made by the Council between 1975 and 1979. These decisions were intended to enforce demographic changes in disputed areas. Mohammed Amin, a representative of the farmers in Dibis, told Shafaq News that Iraqi army forces prevented Kurdish landowners from working their fields in five villages. "These lands belong to the Kurds, and the head of the Property Restitution Committee has formally urged the Kirkuk governor to begin legal procedures for returning them to their rightful owners," he affirmed, adding that recent clashes in the Shanagha village, where tensions flared between Kurdish farmers and Iraqi army personnel, remain under judicial review. On February 17, Kirkuk Governor Rakan Saeed confirmed that the soldiers involved in the Shanagha incident had been detained. The government committee formed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani later began its work in Kirkuk to investigate the incident that drew widespread condemnation and prompted the dispatch of a high-level delegation to examine the case and its broader implications.
Shafaq News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Parliament in crisis: Only 51% of sessions held
Shafaq News/ As Iraq's fifth parliamentary term nears its conclusion, the legislature has struggled to fulfill its duties, holding only 51% of the required sessions. The failure to convene regularly has significantly hindered both legislative and oversight functions. Session Record Since the current parliamentary term began in January 2022, the Iraqi parliament has held only 132 sessions—far below the 256 sessions required per year. Internal regulations mandate eight sessions per month and 32 per legislative term, which lasts four months. -First Year (2022): The first session took place on January 9 following the October 2021 elections. The first legislative term ended on June 8 with just 11 sessions, while the second term, from July 23 to December 3, saw 15 sessions. -Second Year (2023): The first term ran from January 14 to June 11, holding 31 sessions. The second term, from July 20 to December 4, saw 19 sessions. -Third Year (2024): The first term, from January 13 to June 3, held 27 sessions. The second term, from July 20 to December 4, had 19 sessions. -Current Year (2025): Since January 13, only five sessions have been held. Speaker's Acknowledgment Parliament Speaker Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani admitted at a February forum in Erbil that this term is the worst in Iraq's parliamentary history. 'The first year was marred by tensions between the Sadrist Movement and the Coordination Framework, the second by internal conflicts in Al-Anbar, the third by the election of a new speaker, and the fourth by preparations for elections,' he said. Al-Mashhadani pledged to revitalize legal and integrity committees and promote national unity in parliament. Challenges and Political Deadlock This term has been marked by persistent crises. A turning point came when the Federal Supreme Court removed Speaker Mohamed Al-Halbousi, leading to Al-Mashhadani's election as his replacement. Political disagreements have repeatedly stalled parliamentary sessions, particularly over contentious laws, including the Personal Status Law, Property Restitution Law, and General Amnesty Law. The parliament also faced gridlock over the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Service and Retirement Law, which divided political factions—including members of the Coordination Framework—due to its implications for PMF leadership and retirement age regulations. Accountability and Oversight The parliament's dysfunction has raised concerns over accountability. Legal expert Habib Al-Quraishi told Shafaq News that oversight must come from both the legislature itself and the judiciary, particularly the Federal Supreme Court and Administrative Court. He cited Article 93 of the constitution, which grants the Federal Supreme Court the authority to assess the constitutionality of laws and regulations. Independent MP Kazem Al-Fayyad blamed infighting among dominant blocs for legislative paralysis. 'Conflicts over laws and personal and party interests have obstructed parliament's ability to hold sessions, let alone perform its legislative and oversight roles,' he told Shafaq News.
Shafaq News
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Kurdistan takes action: Farmers' Council to end land disputes
Shafaq News/ The General Board for Kurdistani Areas Outside the Region announced, on Monday, the formation of the Kurdistan Farmers' Council, aimed at resolving land disputes in areas outside the Kurdish administration. The move follows the Iraqi Parliament's passage of the Property Restitution Law on January 21, which seeks to return lands confiscated during Saddam Hussein's Baathist regime to their rightful owners. During a press conference, Committee Chairman Fahmi Burhan emphasized the importance of the law, stating, "Once enacted, this law should resolve outstanding land disputes, as the same mindset that created problems for Kurdish farmers also obstructed the implementation of Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution." A delegation of Kurdish farmers met earlier today with Burhan to discuss land issues and the implementation of the law. To facilitate a more structured response, the Kurdistan Farmers' Council will act as a liaison between farmers, the special committee, and the Iraqi government, ensuring quicker resolution of disputes. Burhan explained that the council's primary role is to enhance communication and coordination, protecting farmers' rights and ensuring that the law is enforced effectively. On February 17th, 2025, and despite the law's approval, Kurdish farmers attempting to harvest reclaimed lands have faced harassment from security forces in Kirkuk.
Shafaq News
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
PM Al-Sudani moves to enforce Property Restitution Law
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, directed the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers to take the necessary steps to implement the Property Restitution Law, Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Shakhawan Abdullah, revealed on Sunday. Abdullah said in a statement, 'Al-Sudani signed the recommendations of the special committee tasked with resolving the issue of Kurdish farmers in the Sirkiran subdistrict of Kirkuk. We had submitted a request to the Prime Minister on February 17 regarding farmers' issues and the implementation of the law to annul the decisions of the dissolved Ba'ath Party.' On February 17, several Kurdish farmers in Kirkuk tried to cultivate lands returned to them by a court order, but an army unit blocked their efforts. Kirkuk Governor Rebwar Taha had previously announced that there are about 14 judicial decisions concerning agricultural lands totaling about 1,500 dunams, while no issues exist with approximately 18,000 dunams owned by Kurdish farmers. The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court reaffirmed in 2019 the continued applicability of Article 140, which aims to undo the demographic changes imposed by Saddam Hussein's regime in disputed areas and to hold a census and referendum on whether these territories should join the Kurdistan Region. Although the article was supposed to be fully implemented by 2007, its implementation was delayed due to security and political challenges. The court ruled that the provisions of Article 140 remain in effect until they are fully carried out.
