Iraqi Minorities Insulted
Earlier this fall, minorities in Iraq spoke out against a revision to a provincial election law that struck a clause guaranteeing Christians and other minorities political representation. In response to their pleas, members of Iraqi parliament voted to allocate 6 seats to religious and ethnic minorities – 6 out of 400.
This decision was met with disappointment, criticism and in some cases outrage from Christians, Yazidis, Mandeans and Shabaks in Iraq. The UN had proposed delegating at least 12 seats for minority representation, but Iraqis in these particular subgroups were hoping for more. Although the law now moves on to a vote by the three-member Iraqi presidency council, it is unlikely that the number of seats for these minorities will increase.
Haley Hackendale
