Bethnahrain Patriotic Union opposes general amnesty for ISIS prisoners

ANKAWA, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — In response to circulating reports about the possible issuance of a general amnesty in Iraq for detainees linked to the Islamic State (ISIS), the Bethnahrain Patriotic Union Party in Iraq (Huyodo d-Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) expressed strong opposition to the reintegration of ISIS prisoners into society.

The HBA Political Bureau firmly rejected the idea of granting amnesty to ISIS members through legislation in the Iraqi Parliament, citing the horrific crimes they committed against the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people in Nineveh Plains. The statement emphasized that these terrorists were responsible for the deaths of thousands and the displacement of tens of thousands of families.

The HBA called for justice to be served, particularly for those who were wrongly imprisoned, urging that any investigations be fair and transparent.

Last August, the Iraqi Parliament completed the first reading of an amendment to the general amnesty law, raising concerns that it could include individuals convicted of terrorism and ISIS affiliation. Sunni blocs in Parliament are pushing for the amnesty in exchange for passing amendments to the Personal Status Law proposed by Shiite blocs.