Committees’ recent meetings – 29 October 2019
A summary of Kurdistan Parliament committees' recent meetings and activities:
Relations and Kurdish Diaspora Committee
28 October - The committee held their regular meeting led by the chair Dr. Rebwar Babkayi (KDP).
The committee also debated the drafting of the text of a Kurdish Diaspora bill. To this end, they decided to send the bill to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations (DFR), to inform the DFR of the details of the bill. They also decided to organize a workshop of academics and relevant organizations to hear their views on the bill.
The committee also read several notes on their meetings and activities over the past few weeks.
Agriculture and Irrigation Committee
28 October - The committee held their regular meeting, led by the chair Mr. Osman Ali Smail (KIG). The MPs discussed several issues including the provision of loans for agricultural projects, granting of permission to dig water wells, eliminating bureaucracy in agricultural projects and solving the problem of using agricultural lands illegally.
The committee decided to inform the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) about these problems, via Parliament’s Presidency. The MPs also decided to ask the KRG to give authority to the Ministry of Agriculture to grant permission for the digging of water wells.
Health, Environment and Consumer Rights Committee
28 October - The committee held their regular meeting, led by chair Dr. Sabah Zebari (KDP). They discussed the details and proposed articles of a bill on healthcare workers, and vice chair Dr. Shayan Askari (Change Movement) read the committee’s report on the bill. The MPs decided to direct the bill to Parliament’s Presidency, so that it can be scheduled for its first reading.
The meeting also discussed the notes, requests and reports submitted to the committee, and all of them were given detailed replies.
Social Affairs, Protection of Women's Rights, and Human Rights
29 October - The committee held their regular meeting, led by the chair Romeo Hakari (National Union Coalition). They discussed the text of a legislative proposal to amend the law on the rights and privileges of people with disabilities and their special needs in Kurdistan Region. In order to improve and enrich the bill, the Committee decided to get opinions from experts and relevant organizations.
Peshmerga, Interior, Security and Local Councils Committee
28 October – The committee, led by chair Mr. Reving Hiruri (KDP), visited the new Peshmerga Hospital, to learn more about the hospital’s plans and challenges. They met with the hospital’s directors and German officials. The construction of the hospital was funded by Germany.
They discussed the impact of the construction of a major 150-metre wide highway near the hospital. Officials said that the Peshmerga Hospital's needs include a visitors’ hall for patients’ families and friends, provision of specialist equipment for orthopedics, medical screening and physiotherapy; and car parking and through ways. They also discussed the hospital’s budget.
The committee decided to submit a report to Parliament’s Presidency on the findings of their visit, and to follow up on the hospital’s needs and challenges.