PUK Faction Calls on Parties to Support Halabja Governorate Bill

Kurdistan 02:36 PM - 2024-09-09

Halabja Monument.

The Halabja Support Council will meet with the Iraqi president, prime minister, deputy speaker of the Iraqi parliament, and political parties to finalise the procedures for recognizing Halabja as a governorate and facilitating the opening of border crossings in the area.

An MP from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) faction in Iraq's parliament stressed the importance of obtaining the president's, prime minister's, and political parties' support to officially designate Halabja as a province.

Emphasis is placed on completion of procedures

Chro Hama Sharif, a member of Iraq's parliament from the PUK faction, told PUKMEDIA: "Today, September 9, 2024, we will visit the Iraqi president, prime minister, and deputy speaker of parliament with the Halabja Support Council to highlight the progress made in the process of provincialising Halabja and to request the official opening of the border crossings in Halabja."

"In the coming days, the delegation will visit Iraqi political parties and request their support for passing the bill establishing Halabja as a province, as well as for other city-related issues," Sharif stated.

Iraqi President receives a delegation from Halabja Support Council

Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid welcomed a delegation from the Halabja Support Council, comprising several political, academic, and social figures from Halabja, at the Baghdad Palace on Monday, September 9, 2024.

They deliberated on strategies to enhance the economy, services, and overall development of Halabja. President Rashid assured that the Presidency will consistently and regularly monitor the implementation of the provisions outlined in the bill aimed at turning Halabja from a city to a province.

"Halabja is not alone and we are with its people to overcome their misery," he said.

The members of the Halabja Support Council expressed gratitude to the President for his careful review and support of their lawful rights. They reiterated their commitment to persistently present their demands to achieve the rights of the people of Halabja.

Halabja bill should be put on the parliament's agenda 

Ezadin Majid Mohammed, Deputy Head of the Iraqi Presidency, previously told PUKMEDIA that the Iraqi President had written a letter to Mohsen Mandalawi, the Iraqi Parliament's Acting Speaker. The letter requests that Mandalawi place the Halabja Governorate Bill on the agenda of council meetings in order to complete the legal procedures for the city's governorship.

He further said: "We call for the bill establishing Halabja as a province in parliament to undergo a parliamentary vote to safeguard the welfare of the people and demonstrate loyalty to the blood of martyrs and the Kurdish victims who endured chemical attacks and the Anfal campaign."

Mohammed also stated that President Rashid had earlier instructed the Kurdish parties to reach an agreement in the Iraqi parliament about the final vote on the governorship of Halabja.

The PUK considers itself the owner of the bill

On March 13, 2023, the Iraqi Council of Ministers completed the federal procedures to establish Halabja as Iraq's 19th province. The decision is currently being debated in parliament, with a third reading expected shortly.

The PUK considers itself the owner of the bill establishing Halabja as a province and has made significant efforts in the past to complete the first and second readings of the bill. In parliament, the PUK faction collected 87 signatures to push for the bill's third reading, which they then submitted to the presidency.



PUKMEDIA