On November 27, 2024, the International Relations and Diplomacy Department at Tishk International University, in collaboration with the International Relations Department at the Catholic University in Erbil, organized a “National Workshop on Human Rights and Minority Issues in the Kurdistan Region.” The workshop aimed to enlighten participants about the crucial importance of protecting human rights and addressing minority issues within the region. Mr. Muhammed Ebrahimi, Head of the International Relations Department at the Catholic University in Erbil, delivered the welcome address and served as the moderator for the event.

Workshop Sessions and Key Insights

The workshop was structured into two main sessions:

  • 1st Session: Challenges and Opportunities of Minorities in the Kurdistan Region The first speaker, Asst. Prof. Dr. Adam Bedar, detailed the challenges and opportunities faced by minorities in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. He identified discrimination, demographic change, and a lack of power-sharing as major challenges that impede progress.
  • 2nd Session: Human Rights of the Minorities in Kurdistan Region and Iraq The second speaker, Mr. Mohammad S. Gomashini, Director of Media and Awareness at the Independent Human Rights Commission, provided a comprehensive overview of the state of human rights observance, protection, and promotion for minorities in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, all within the existing legal frameworks.

The workshop was well-attended by approximately 40 participants, including academics, policymakers, and students. It provided a vital platform for participants to understand the main challenges facing minorities and the ongoing efforts to address them. This initiative aligns directly with Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Recommendations for Action

Following the discussions, both speakers offered several key recommendations:

  • Create a level playing field to allow minorities to actively participate in politics and decision-making.
  • Strengthen existing legal frameworks to ensure the full protection and promotion of minority rights.
  • Ensure the consistent observance of the Rule of Law, with a focus on equality before the law, fundamental human rights, and the supremacy of the law.
  • Guarantee equal access to economic opportunities for all.

To conclude the event, certificates of appreciation were presented to the guest speakers. Dr. Mohammad Salih Mustafa, Head of the International Relations and Diplomacy Department, presented the certificate to Asst. Prof. Dr. Adam Bedar, and the President of the Catholic University in Erbil presented the certificate to Mr. Mohammad S. Gomashini.

Keywords: Human Rights, Minority Issues, Peace, Justice, Strong Institutions, Legal Frameworks, Political Participation, Tishk International University, Catholic University in Erbil, Sustainable Development Goals