Beth Nahrin Patriotic Union appeals decision to cancel minority quota seats in Kurdistan Regional Parliament

ANKAWA, Iraq — Yusuf Yacoub Matti, head of the Beth Nahrin Patriotic Union (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA), has filed an appeal against the decision by the Board of Commissioners to cancel the quota seats allocated to the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people and other minorities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), which effectively deprives them of their right to representation in the Kurdistan Regional Parliament.

Matti has called on the judiciary to restore the political rights of marginalized groups in accordance with the Iraqi Constitution, ensuring real representation in the KRI parliament and other governing bodies.

In his appeal submitted on 14 May to the chairman and members of the Election Judicial Commission and the Independent High Electoral Commission, Matti argued that the decision unfairly discriminates against ethnic minorities, including the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian community.

“Article 49 guarantees the rights of ethnic components and their entitlement to exercise constitutional rights,” said Matti. “For this reason, and for other reasons that the esteemed Commission deems appropriate, I hope the Judicial Commission will lift this injustice and correct the decision of the Board of Commissioners,” Matti stated in his appeal.