Halabja’s acting governor, Nukhsha Nasih, has urged Iraqi political parties to avoid politicizing the long-awaited bill granting Halabja provincial status. The Iraqi parliament adjourned a key session due to a lack of quorum, delaying the vote. In response, Kurdish factions have boycotted parliamentary meetings until the bill is passed.
Halabja Governor Calls for Justice, Not Politics
Acting governor of Halabja, Nukhsha Nasih, has called on Iraqi political parties to refrain from politicizing the bill that would grant Halabja the status of a province. She emphasized that the decision should be viewed as a form of “revenge” for the deaths of 5,000 citizens in the 1988 chemical attack, rather than a political bargaining chip. Speaking at a press conference, Nasih expressed hope that the issue would remain separate from broader political disputes, urging lawmakers to act in the interest of justice.
The urgency of the issue comes as the Iraqi parliament once again failed to hold a vote on the bill. A session scheduled for March 26 was canceled due to an incomplete quorum, a recurring issue that has hindered progress on the matter. The bill has appeared on the agenda five times, only to be delayed each time due to boycotts or political disagreements.
Kurdish Factions Boycott Parliament Over Delays
Following yet another postponement, Kurdish factions, including the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), announced their decision to abstain from attending any future parliamentary sessions unless the vote on Halabja’s provincial status proceeds as planned. The move signals growing frustration over repeated delays and a lack of political consensus.
Karwan Yarweys, the decision-maker for the PUK faction in the Iraqi Council of Representatives, reaffirmed their stance, stating, “Until the Halabja Governorate Bill is passed, we will not participate in any parliamentary meetings.” He added that no other legislative bill would be approved by Kurdish factions until Halabja’s status is resolved.
Yarweys accused certain political groups of obstructing the bill’s progress, noting that while legislative decisions require political agreement, the PUK has consistently pushed for unity in the interests of the Kurdistan Region. He criticized past boycotts that have stalled the bill, arguing that it is time for parliament to deliver on its commitment to Halabja’s people.
Session Stalled Over Hashd al-Shaabi Bill
One of the key reasons behind the session’s failure was the inclusion of another controversial bill on the agenda—the reading of the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) bill. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Shakhawan Abdullah confirmed that some lawmakers refused to participate in the session because of this issue. In response, Abdullah suggested setting a separate agenda for an upcoming session, solely dedicated to the Halabja Governorate Bill.
Despite efforts to push the bill forward, Kurdish representatives remain skeptical about whether parliament will honor its commitment. The PUK faction has mobilized all efforts to ensure the bill is passed in this parliamentary term. However, without a clear agreement, the boycott by Kurdish factions could further delay the legislative process, leaving Halabja’s provincial status in limbo.
