PUK's List in Diyala Defends Minorities' Rights

PUKMEDIA

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The disputed Kurdish regions encompass a diverse range of ethnic, religious, and sectarian communities, both broadly and specifically within Diyala province. Iraq's constitution guarantees these communities' rights. In light of this, the PUK list in Diyala province, number 120, is attempting to adhere to the constitution and effectively carry out Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution.

One of the major issues that has been lingering between Erbil and Baghdad is the issue of the disputed territories. The disputed territories stretch across several provinces, including Kirkuk, Nineveh, Diyala, and Saladin. The former Iraqi Ba'ath regime made significant efforts to Arabize all residents of these regions, resulting in the ongoing disputes between Erbil and Baghdad. Although Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution was drafted in part to address the issue, the law has yet to be implemented. 

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has formulated a pragmatic agenda and put out a slate of 30 candidates for the Iraqi provincial council elections in Diyala province.

"The primary objective of the PUK is to safeguard the Kurdish identity of the disputed regions, such as those in Diyala province. Additionally, the party strives to maximize its representation by sending a large number of its candidates to serve in the provincial council," Sabah Karim Abbas, candidate of the PUK list No. 120 in Diyala province, told PUKMEDIA.

"We strongly encourage the inhabitants of Diyala province, encompassing various ethnic groups such as Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens, and others, to support the candidates of the PUK to prevent the possible marginalisation of their rights and the imposition of unilateral decision-making." Abbas further stated that the PUK is the only organisation with the ability to impartially serve and address the concerns of all communities and is the only organisation capable of guaranteeing fair treatment for all.

Hassan Talabani, another candidate of the PUK in Diyala province, told PUKMEDIA: "The PUK has advocated for the preservation of the Kurdish identity in the contested regions in the past, and it aims to exert considerable efforts in the upcoming election to regain control over the governing bodies and administrative heads of the districts predominantly inhabited by Kurds."

"The PUK wants to resolve the issue of the disputed areas through Article 140 of the constitution and will protect the rights of all communities in these regions," he said.

The province of Diyala is comprised of six districts and 21 sub-districts. It is important to note that Kurds have historically occupied the majority of Baquba's population. However, as a result of Arabization policies and forced displacement, only a limited number of districts and sub-districts in Diyala today have a Kurdish population. The PUK, represented by a group of 30 Kurdish candidates, aims to facilitate the repatriation of Kurds to the disputed areas to safeguard and uphold their Kurdish cultural and ethnic identity.

 

PUKMEDIA