Kurdistan government rejects HRW report

ARBIL / IraqiNews.com: The Kurdistan Regional Government Kurdistan RegionG) expressed their rejection of the Human Rights Watch report on the minorities’ affairs in Ninewa, describing the report as a delusive. “The Kurdistan Regional Government Kurdistan RegionG) has a long standing and productive relationship with Human Rights Watch (HRW). We appreciate what HRW has done in the past,” said an official statement. “As an oppressed community ourselves, we fully understand the value of ensuring justice for all members and factions of society. In addition, the Kurdistan RegionG appreciates the expressed interest in the condition of the minority communities in Ninewa Province’s disputed territories. We regard the well-being of all communities in these areas to be of paramount concern,” it added. “The Kurdistan RegionG is ready and willing to look into each and every allegation, and we are ready to work on these issues under the legal framework of both the Kurdistan Region and the Republic of Iraq, with the help of HRW and other reputable human rights organizations.” “The Kurdistan RegionG will investigate each specific claim outlined in the report carefully and thoroughly. There may be instances of maltreatment and neglect; the Kurdistan RegionG does not claim to be flawless.” “But the report reveals a systematic mis-perception of the circumstances in Ninewa and a worrying ignorance of Iraqi history. HRW therefore produces an inaccurate portrayal of the situation. Furthermore, due to the methodology employed to produce this report, it cannot be the basis for legitimate judgments or assertions,” it added. “The main thrust of this report could be grossly misleading and the Kurdistan RegionG affirms its strong disagreement in this regard. The Kurdistan RegionG has done more for the protection of minorities than any other entity in Iraq, and continues to insist on tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the Region and throughout Iraq.” However, it is imperative to consider the broader social and political context regarding these claims. Neither the Kurdistan RegionG nor the Peshmerga forces have created instability in the disputed territories. On the contrary, the Peshmerga have sacrificed their lives to protect the residents in these areas from terrorists. They have been part of the solution, not the problem. Terrorists and extremists have utilized violence and intimidation, repeatedly violating the human rights of minorities. The blame falls squarely on their shoulders, and they should be held accountable. “The HRW investigation appears to have ignored the majority of people from the ethnic and religious minorities in Ninewa, who welcome the presence of the Kurdish security forces and are grateful for the assistance provided by the Kurdistan RegionG, especially during periods of intense sectarian violence and repeated intimidation. In fact minorities, regardless of their ethnic and religious background, have come to the Kurdistan Region, fleeing violence and persecution. This stems from the Kurdistan RegionG policy of religious and ethnic tolerance. The Kurdistan RegionG has invested heavily in the welfare of citizens in the disputed territories, at a time when no other entity was willing to do so.” “The report fails to mention the fact that following every major incident in which Iraq’s minorities have been targeted by terrorists, the Kurdistan RegionG has provided humanitarian aid and received hundreds, sometimes thousands of families into the Kurdistan RegionG area, where many continue to live today in peace. If the minorities in Nineveh were being systematically intimidated by the Kurds, why would so many seek shelter in Kurdistan RegionG-administered land?” “From reading the report it would appear that all minorities in Ninewa province are against Kurdistan RegionG policy, which is far from the truth, as elections results in the disputed areas have consistently shown,” the Kurdistan government underlined. “The real problem in Ninewa province are the terrorists and the extremists, intent upon marginalizing minorities and who also wish to marginalize the Kurds. Iraq needs an inclusive system