The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Forum on the Accomplishments of the Human Rights Action Plan was held on Thursday, bringing together government officials and international partners to review progress, challenges, and priorities in advancing human rights across the Kurdistan Region.

The Human Rights Action Plan (2021-2025) is a comprehensive framework developed with the support of the UN, consulates, and civil society to strengthen human rights in the Kurdistan Region.

It organizes 275 recommendations across 31 ministries, each tasked with specific reforms. The plan aims to align regional laws and institutions with international human rights standards, improve governance and accountability, and protect vulnerable groups.

“The KRG has championed human rights as a binding moral, legal, and institutional obligation, ensuring their consistent and overarching application in the pursuit of development of good governance, the strengthening of the rule of law, and the equal safeguarding of every individual’s dignity in the Kurdistan Region,” Dindar Zebari, the KRG Coordinator for International Advocacy, said in his speech at the event.

“The overall implementation rate of the KRG Human Rights Action Plan increased from 42.8% to 62.3% between 2021 and 2025. The proportion of recommendations under implementation rose from 3.9% to 21.6%, while those pending implementation decreased significantly, from 53.3% to 16.1%. These figures attest to the Kurdistan Region’s growing institutional capacity and to the KRG’s determination to transform policy commitments into tangible outcomes.”

Zebari also expressed his sincere appreciation to partners across the regional and federal governments, as well as to international partners, who have helped with the plan.

At the event, Collins Onyango, the Iraq Country Representative at Lutheran World Federation, underlined that “the topic of human rights is not only important, but also urgent and imperative because it stands as a key determinant of the quality of life of the people for whom all of us present here have committed to serve in our various capacities.

“I must commend the commitment of the Republic of Iraq, and in particular the KRG, with whom we are partnering in upholding and fulfilling the rights of its people. It’s also encouraging to see the openness with which the Office of the Coordinator for International Advocacy is willing to reflect on the accomplishments, and I believe they are also prepared to take note of areas that still need action.

“As the Lutheran World Federation, together with our partners locally and internationally, we remain committed to walking shoulder to shoulder with the KRG and the federal government of Iraq as a whole, to ensure that human rights are upheld and fulfilled,” he concluded.

Francesc Revuelto-Lanao, Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq Office in the Kurdistan Region, underlined that the adoption and implementation of the 2021-2025 Human Rights Action Plan by the KRG is a major step and a key commitment to protecting human rights.

“In its resolve to protect human rights, the KRG has demonstrated its commitment to take legislative and policy measures to advance human rights and institutionalize protection, which also remain on the agenda of the Kurdistan Regional Parliament.

“As we celebrate the accomplishments of the Regional Human Rights Action Plan, we must reaffirm our commitment to engaging civil society in advancing human rights in close collaboration with the KRG by fostering partnerships between civil society and regional institutions. Civil society can play a critical role in supporting efforts by the KRG for protecting human rights and in implementing human rights recommendations offered by UN human rights mechanisms.”