Iraqis urged to report Kurdish forces abuses in Kirkuk

By Ibrahim Salih

BAGHDAD (AA) – Iraq’s High Commission for Human Rights on Wednesday urged people living in the northern Kirkuk province to register complaints regarding human rights violations committed by Kurdish forces.

“Citizens who were subject to human rights violations need to register their complaints with the commission,” it said in a statement.

The move comes amid tension between Baghdad and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in the wake of a Sept. 25 illegitimate referendum on regional Kurdish independence.

On Tuesday, dozens of Sunni Arabs demonstrated in Kirkuk to demand the release of hundreds of people detained by Kurdish forces since 2003.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi on Tuesday ordered an investigation into arrests by KRG-affiliated security forces in the province.

Following the illegitimate referendum, Iraqi government forces moved into several parts of the country “disputed” between Baghdad and the Erbil-based KRG, including the oil-rich Kirkuk province.