PUK Bloc Continues Efforts to Legislate Halabja Governorate Law

P.U.K 03:23 PM - 2025-03-07

The city of Halabja.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) bloc is continuing its efforts to pass the law establishing Halabja as a governorate in the Iraqi parliament, having completed all necessary legal procedures. These efforts come as the anniversary of the chemical weapons attack on the city approaches.

PUK MP: We Are Working to Pass the Law

Dr. Bryar Rashid, a PUK bloc MP, told PUKMEDIA: “We in the PUK bloc are working diligently to ensure that the draft law establishing Halabja Governorate is included on the agenda of the Iraqi parliament sessions.”

He added: “We will collaborate with other parliamentary blocs in an effort to pass the draft law, especially as the anniversary of the chemical weapons attack draws near.”

Final Step: The Vote

Another PUK bloc MP, Chro Hama Sharif, told PUKMEDIA: “The PUK bloc’s efforts to legislate the law establishing Halabja Governorate are ongoing.”

She further stated: “We have secured approval and support from the majority of parliamentary blocs to vote on the draft law, and we will continue working until it is passed by the Iraqi parliament.” She also noted that “Halabja Governorate has fulfilled all legal and administrative requirements, and the only remaining step is for the Iraqi parliament to vote on the law to officially establish it as a new governorate.”

She explained that the PUK bloc aims to have the draft law voted on before the anniversary of the chemical weapons attack on 16 March 1988.

Draft Law for the Establishment of Halabja Governorate

In accordance with the provisions of Article 61 of the Constitution of the Republic of Iraq, the Iraqi parliament has decided to enact the following law:

Law on the Establishment of Halabja Governorate in the Republic of Iraq

Article One:
A governorate shall be established under the name of Halabja Governorate within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, making it the nineteenth governorate in the Republic of Iraq, with Halabja District as its administrative centre.

Article Two:
The Council of Ministers of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq shall determine the governorate’s boundaries and administrative divisions.

Article Three:
The relevant authorities shall implement the provisions of this law.

Article Four:
This law shall come into effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette (Iraqi Gazette).

Rationale for the Law

In the interest of public welfare and in recognition of Halabja’s significant urban and population growth, as well as the immense sacrifices made by its people, this law has been enacted. The city suffered severe human, material, and environmental damage due to its bombing with banned chemical weapons by the former regime in March 1988. This legislation also aims to honour the international recognition Halabja has received as a result of these sacrifices.




PUKMEDIA