Latest news with #Article140Committee
Shafaq News
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
US to unveil new policies on Iraq, official says
Shafaq News/ US administration may introduce new political and economic measures related to Iraq, Iraqi Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Shakhawan Abdullah, said on Saturday. At a press conference, Abdullah revealed that he held discussions with the US assistant secretary of state and the head of the US religious affairs commission, pointing out that talks focused on Kirkuk and other disputed areas, which Washington views as a matter of significant concern. The deputy speaker added that the new US administration may introduce several political and economic measures related to Iraq, a topic that has been repeatedly discussed with the federal government. Abdullah highlighted Kirkuk's historical significance as a center of geopolitical struggle due to its rich intellectual, mineral, and natural resources, noting that the city 'has long faced Arabization policies and demographic changes due to its strategic location.' He stressed the need for all parties to restore the rights of Kirkuk's original inhabitants and 'erase the impact of successive Iraqi regimes.' Abdullah also confirmed that the Iraqi Parliament has reactivated the Article 140 Committee, aiming to reverse the demographic changes imposed under the former Baath regime.
Shafaq News
27-01-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Kirkuk moves forward on Article 140 compensation cases
Shafaq News/ On Monday, the Article 140 Committee in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, reported significant progress in resolving compensation claims for displaced individuals and newcomers, supported by financial allocations from Baghdad. Hardi Khodr, Director of the Article 140 Committee in Kirkuk, told Shafaq News that 'approximately 2,500 displaced individuals and 2,000 newcomers are set to receive payments as part of the government's annual 100 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $76.7 million) allocation for these cases.' 'During 2023 and 2024, the committee processed 2,969 compensation claims for newcomers and 1,699 claims for displaced Kurds,' Khodr noted, highlighting the committee's achievements. 'Currently, 5,728 claims for displaced individuals and 3,931 claims for newcomers are updated and ready for disbursement.' He explained that the Supreme Article 140 Committee in Baghdad oversees the budget and ensures the proper allocation of funds. 'The committee streamlines the application process for eligible individuals and forwards cases to the central office, where financial entitlements are issued through official checks,' Khodr added. Notably, Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution seeks to address demographic changes imposed by Saddam Hussein's regime, which displaced original inhabitants—predominantly Kurds—and replaced them with Arab newcomers as part of an Arabization campaign. The Article outlines a three-phase process: reversing demographic changes, conducting a population census, and holding a referendum for residents to decide whether to join the Kurdistan Region or remain under Baghdad's administration. Although implementation was initially set to conclude by the end of 2007, political and security challenges delayed the process. In 2019, Iraq's Federal Supreme Court ruled that Article 140 remains valid and enforceable until its objectives are fully achieved.
