By Saadula Aqrawi
I believe that building strong institutions and ensuring justice are crucial for the long-term stability, development, and prosperity of the Kurdistan Region. I think that the new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) needs to focus on strengthening institutions and enhancing the justice system. The KRG’s new cabinet needs to ensure that its laws are consistent, clear, and just. This includes revising outdated laws and aligning them with international human rights standards, such as protection for minorities and gender equality. Expanding access to legal services, particularly for marginalized communities, and providing public awareness campaigns about legal rights and remedies would help build trust in the legal system. The judiciary must be insulated from political pressures. Measures like appointing judges based on merit and ensuring independence through adequate training and financial security are crucial.
The KRG new cabinet needs to focus on improving public administration and governance by implementing civil service reforms. This includes professional training, merit-based hiring, and promoting accountability within the public sector. Encourage greater local governance and decentralization of decision-making. Empowering local authorities and officials will make the government more responsive to the needs of citizens.
Yes, Invest in modernizing public administration systems, including digital platforms for government services, which will improve transparency and reduce corruption. The KRG new cabinet needs to create and empower independent anti-corruption bodies. Transparency in public procurement, contracting, and budgeting will reduce opportunities for corruption.
And of course, will need to ensure that all public officials are held accountable for their actions. This could include setting up robust mechanisms for investigating misconduct and implementing consequences for violations. Also to ensure that security forces are professional, trained, and respect human rights. Instituting clear protocols for handling security issues and minimizing the role of political influence in the security sector is important. I do believe that strengthening community-based policing strategies that focus on community engagement, transparency, and preventing crime can help build trust in the rule of law.
Work to create an inclusive political system where all ethnic and religious groups have a voice, ensuring the representation of minorities in key decision-making roles. Enact and enforce laws that promote gender equality, combat gender-based violence, and support women’s participation in public life and leadership. Ensure the protection and empowerment of religious and ethnic minorities, providing them with full rights under the law, and guarantee their participation in all aspects of society. We need to focus on programs that address historical grievances, land ownership issues, and provide restitution for those wronged by past injustices. Strengthening the training and capacity of institutions, such as the Ministry of Justice, police forces, and public administration offices, will help in the implementation of laws and the delivery of justice.
Build collaboration between judicial, legislative, and executive branches to ensure laws are effectively enacted, enforced, and upheld.
Finally I believe that by taking a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to strengthening institutions and enhancing justice, the KRG can foster long-term political stability, economic development, and a society grounded in fairness and equality.