Kurdish Officials Condemn Ban on Kurdish Language in Disputed Areas, Urge Immediate Reversal

PUKMEDIA

Little girl writing in Kurdish.

The recent decision by Iraq’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to prohibit the use of Kurdish in university classrooms in disputed areas has triggered widespread condemnation, with intellectuals and university professors calling for the ban to be overturned.

The disputed areas, often referred to as the “in-between areas,” encompass Kirkuk, Sinjar, Tal Afar, Khanaqin, and others. These regions are characterised by ethnically and religiously diverse populations—including Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen—and contain significant oil and gas reserves. Under the former Ba’ath regime, Arabisation policies forcibly displaced many Kurds, replacing them with Arab settlers. Article 140 was designed to address the complex identity and administrative issues of these areas, mandating a process of normalisation, census, and referendum to determine their final status.

Dr Aram Mohammed Qadir, the Kurdistan Region Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, has strongly condemned the Iraqi Federal Ministry of Higher Education’s recent decision to ban the use of the Kurdish language in university exam papers and lectures across disputed areas.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Dr Qadir described the decree as a “blatant violation of the principles of coexistence and a clear disregard for the cultures and national languages of non-Arab communities in Iraq.”

“This decision marks a dangerous regression toward the culture of Ba'athism and centralisation — a phase that Iraqis have overcome and consigned to history,” he said. “Respect for cultural and linguistic diversity is a cornerstone of any federal democratic system.”

Dr Qadir warned of consequences if Kurdish identity continues to be undermined: “Everyone must understand that anyone who fails to respect our culture, language, and national identity will be met with a proportional response — in accordance with the principle of ‘an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.”

A group of scholars has issued a memorandum entitled “Call to Protect the Respect of the Kurdish Language in Iraq,” criticising the decision as unconstitutional and unlawful. The statement asserts that the ban deprives Kurdish-speaking students of their right to seek clarification and engage in academic discussions in their native language.

“We believe this approach poses a serious threat to peaceful coexistence and directly contravenes the laws in force, as well as Iraq’s permanent constitution,” the memorandum stated. “Arabic and Kurdish are both recognised as official languages of the Republic of Iraq, and no state institution has the authority to restrict the use of either.”

The signatories noted that the directive specifically targets universities in the disputed territories, which fall under the scope of Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution. They warned that the decision could exacerbate ethnic tensions in regions already marked by historical sensitivities and unresolved grievances.

“This move risks deepening divisions between Kurdish and Arab communities,” the statement said, “at a time when efforts should be directed towards resolving, not inflaming, such issues.”

Concluding their appeal, the academics expressed strong dissatisfaction and denounced the measure as a form of discrimination.

“We demand the immediate cancellation of this decision, an official condemnation of such actions, and a public apology to Kurdish citizens and students,” they wrote.

For its part, the General Board for Kurdistani Areas Outside the Region of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has rejected the decision, describing it as both a clear violation of the Iraqi Constitution and a troubling escalation.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Board noted that the ministry’s directive contravenes Article 4 of the Constitution, which recognises Kurdish as an official language of Iraq. "It is deeply concerning that a major institution such as the Ministry of Higher Education would issue such a directive so publicly and formally. Unfortunately, this is not a new issue — our students in the Kurdistani areas face this challenge every year," the statement read.

The Board emphasised that what distinguishes this year's development is the issuance of an official letter enshrining this unconstitutional move. "We, as the General Board for Kurdistani Areas Outside the Region, categorically reject any measure that violates the Constitution," the statement continued.

It further criticised the Iraqi government for making "two unconstitutional decisions within a span of less than two months" in the Kurdistani areas: the reclassification of Qara Tapa as a district and the latest ban on the Kurdish language.

“These steps are dangerous and cast doubt on the Iraqi government’s sincerity in resolving the outstanding issues in the Kurdistani areas,” the Board said. “They run counter to the core principles on which the current government was established.”

The Board concluded by calling on all Kurdish representatives in Baghdad — including the President, ministers, and members of parliament — to use their constitutional and legal powers to oppose such actions. It urged them to work towards protecting the principles of partnership, upholding constitutional rights, and ensuring the implementation of Article 140 of the Constitution.



PUKMEDIA