On 29 January 2025, in Erbil
Province, the KCIL team paid an official visit to meet Dr. Muna Yaqu, Head of
the Kurdistan Region Independent Human Rights Commission (IHRC), and her
advisor, Nasser Krit. This meeting aimed to introduce the head of IHRC to the
latest KCIL activities and publications. At the outset, the KCIL team outlined
KCIL’s projects and its long-term goals in safeguarding human rights. This
aligns with the efforts of the KCIL legal experts in drafting the
“Anti-Discrimination Law in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).” Furthermore, a
comprehensive perspective was shed light on the pathways that were taken to
prepare a guideline on the legislative process in the Kurdistan Region.
Accordingly, the head of IHRC praised KCIL’s activities as a vital endeavor to
support KRG institutions in upholding the rule of law and integrating efforts
to protect human rights values within Kurdish society. It is pertinent to note
that throughout this meeting, the KCIL team stressed the importance of submitting
the anti-discrimination draft bill to Parliament through the IHRC. Up to this
point, the IHRC responded to this initiative through the formation of a
specialized committee. In conjunction with the meeting, the first meeting of
the committee was held with the KCIL team. The stages of work on the bill were
outlined in terms of gathering IHRC comments and suggestions on the draft bill,
preparing for coordination efforts, and the committee’s subsequent engagements
with stakeholders to lobby and advocate in Parliament for the enactment of the
bill.