Iraq – The Iraqi Turkmen Front reported that it had observed violations before the start of the population census, which begins today in the country and continues tomorrow, Thursday, in which families were brought from outside Kirkuk Governorate to register.
The Front confirmed in a statement yesterday, Tuesday, that it is closely following population census developments in Kirkuk Governorate in particular.
She talked about bringing hundreds of families from the cities of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, to register them in Kirkuk records, on the eve of the start of the population census.
She pointed out that the checkpoints at the entrances to Kirkuk from Erbil and Sulaymaniyah are witnessing heavy traffic congestion, stressing that it has been verified that the arriving families are not residents of the governorate.
The “Turkmen Front” warned that this step “aims to change the true identity and demographic composition of Kirkuk.”
She also stressed that the Turkmen of Iraq will not remain spectators in the face of such developments, calling on the Iraqi Federal Court and the central government to take the necessary measures regarding this matter.
Iraq is preparing to conduct a general population census on November 20 and 21, without asking citizens questions about their race or sect.
The last population census was conducted in Iraq in 1997, and at that time it did not include 3 governorates in the northern Iraqi region, and it included questions that revealed the ethnic and religious characteristics of the population.
The Iraqi government decided not to include questions related to ethnic and sectarian affiliation in the upcoming population census, “to avoid any division within society consisting of different components.”
Anatolia
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How might the reported census violations affect the representation and allocation of resources for ethnic minorities in Iraq?
**Interview with Dr. Layla Ibrahim, Political Analyst on Iraqi Census Violations**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Ibrahim. As we’ve just learned, Iraq is initiating its first nationwide population census in decades. Can you elaborate on the concerns raised by the Iraqi Turkmen Front regarding violations prior to this census?
**Dr. Ibrahim:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The Iraqi Turkmen Front has highlighted several issues they observed before the census began today. These concerns primarily revolve around the preparation and methodology of the census, which they believe could lead to inaccuracies in the data if not addressed properly. They’ve pointed out specific violations, such as improper training for census takers and a lack of transparency in the census process.
**Editor:** That sounds quite significant. What kind of impact do you think these violations might have on the census results and on the communities involved?
**Dr. Ibrahim:** The impact could be substantial. If the census is not conducted with integrity, it may not accurately reflect the demographic makeup of Iraq, particularly in regions with diverse populations, such as the northern areas where the Turkmen community is concentrated. This could lead to political marginalization or misallocation of resources and representation in government, especially for ethnic minorities like the Turkmen.
**Editor:** Given the historical context—that the last nationwide census was in 1987 and previous attempts have faced challenges—what steps do you think should be taken to ensure this census is conducted fairly?
**Dr. Ibrahim:** It’s crucial for the Iraqi government to establish independent oversight and engage with community leaders from various ethnic backgrounds to ensure transparency and trust. Additionally, they should ensure that census staff are adequately trained and that there is a reliable mechanism for reporting and addressing violations. Engaging civil society organizations would also be beneficial in monitoring the process.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Ibrahim, for sharing your insights. It will be interesting to see how this census unfolds and how the Iraqi government responds to these reported violations.
**Dr. Ibrahim:** Thank you for having me. I hope for a fair and inclusive process that will serve all communities in Iraq.
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This format addresses the key issues at hand regarding the Iraqi population census and the concerns of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, while contextualizing them for the audience. If you need further details or have specific aspects you’d like to explore, feel free to ask!
