ERBIL — The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Coordinator of International Advocacy stated on Wednesday that the KRG has made significant advances in addressing racial discrimination.

Speaking at the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in Geneva on August 14, 2024, Dindar Zebari outlined the KRG's ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive society.

Zebari emphasized the KRG's commitment to the rights of foreign workers, reporting that 88,652 individuals have been registered with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs since 2008. The KRG has established committees to oversee their recruitment, provide support for female foreign workers, and handle grievances through a dedicated hotline.

The official highlighted the passage of 35 new laws by the Kurdistan Regional Parliament between 2019 and 2023, with seven additional bills currently under review. These legislative measures include amendments aimed at safeguarding public freedoms and combating gender-based discrimination, with more than a dozen laws specifically focused on these issues.

He also noted the progress made under the KRG's five-year Human Rights Action Plan, which has undergone rigorous evaluation through six reports. The results show a compliance rate of 74.1% with the 448 recommendations made, 19 of which directly address discrimination and hate speech. Of these, 15 have been fully implemented, while three are nearing completion.

In response to the crimes committed by the Islamic State (IS), Zebari outlined the KRG's efforts in documenting atrocities and supporting survivors with financial assistance and psychological care. He also mentioned ongoing initiatives to tackle issues such as narcotics, prison overcrowding, and the death penalty, with a notable reduction in executions.

Zebari concluded by reiterating the KRG's commitment to protecting the cultural rights of religious and ethnic communities, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations, including individuals with disabilities, women under threat, and victims of domestic violence.

The United Nations Committee acknowledged the KRG's continued efforts to combat racial discrimination and advance human rights in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.