Human Rights Watchdog Decries Kurdistan Salary Withholding as Constitutional Violation
Kurdistan's Human Rights Commission urged Iraq's PM to release delayed salaries, calling it a "grave violation" of rights. It warned against politicizing wages, stressing the harm to workers and the economy. With Eid near, it demanded urgent action.
The Independent Commission for Human Rights in the Kurdistan Region has issued a strong appeal to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, urging the immediate disbursement of civil servant salaries in the Kurdistan Region. The Commission warns that withholding livelihoods is a “grave violation” of constitutional rights and federal court rulings.
In a statement released on Friday, the Commission called on Baghdad to resolve the salary dispute with Erbil in accordance with the Iraqi constitution and the decisions of the Federal Supreme Court. The watchdog condemned any pretext used to delay payments, asserting that salaries must not be politicized or entangled in broader political disputes.
“The decision to withhold salaries in the Kurdistan Region by the federal government, under any justification, runs contrary to the principles of the constitution and the ruling of the Federal Supreme Court,” the Commission declared. “Public sector salaries should never be used as leverage in political disagreements.”
Withholding Wages Called a "Major Violation"
The Commission described cutting off salaries as a direct assault on people's right to livelihood, emphasizing that such decisions subject public employees to “fear and anxiety,” while also significantly impacting the local economy and market activity in the Kurdistan Region.
“Denying citizens access to their rightful wages is not just unconstitutional—it is an act of social and economic aggression,” the statement continued.
Salaries Delayed Ahead of Eid
The Commission expressed regret that, with only days remaining before the Eid al-Adha holiday, Baghdad had failed to take meaningful steps toward resolving the crisis or ensuring timely payments. Such delays have further strained Kurdish families already preparing for the festive season.
“Instead of addressing the issue and easing the burdens of the people ahead of Eid, the government has chosen to delay salaries, leaving civil servants and their families in a state of uncertainty,” the Commission said.
Urging Dialogue and Legal Framework
The Human Rights Commission called on Prime Minister al-Sudani to urgently intervene and ensure the swift release of salaries to Kurdistan Region employees. It also urged Baghdad and Erbil to return to the negotiating table and commit to resolving disputes within the framework of the constitution and previously signed agreements.
In parallel, the statement urged Kurdish representatives and officials in Baghdad to intensify legal and diplomatic efforts to safeguard the rights of Kurdistan Region citizens and ensure that salaries and entitlements are delivered before the Eid holiday.
“This is a matter of dignity and law. The rights of citizens must be shielded from political gamesmanship,” the Commission concluded.
(Source:Kurdistan24)
