Amnesty International report highlights failures in protecting women from domestic Violence in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — In its latest report titled “Iraq: Kurdistan Region’s authorities failing survivors of domestic violence,” Amnesty International highlights significant challenges faced by survivors of domestic violence seeking protection and justice.

Amnesty accuses the authorities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) of failing to prosecute perpetrators of domestic violence and not providing adequate support to women and girls seeking state protection.

Aya Majzoub, Deputy Director of the Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, stated that women survivors of domestic violence in the Kurdistan region are being betrayed at every level. She noted that although the regional government has enacted a law addressing domestic violence, it remains ineffective and unenforced.

The report further criticizes the judicial authorities in the region for prioritizing the family unit over the protection of women, leading to additional humiliation for women during court proceedings.

Amnesty International also quoted government officials revealing that approximately 30 women were killed last year in the region, with over 15,000 complaints of violence recorded in the same period. The report underscores the urgent need for concrete action and effective implementation of laws to protect women and girls in the KRI.