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 do you believe the recent announcements of a nationwide census will impact the representation of minority communities, particularly the Turkmen?
**Interview with Ali Hasan, Spokesperson for the Iraqi Turkmen Front**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Ali. As the spokesperson for the Iraqi Turkmen Front, you’ve recently reported observations of violations leading up to the population census that began today. Can you elaborate on what specific violations were noted?
**Ali Hasan:** Thank you for having me. Yes, we have been closely monitoring the developments surrounding the census. Our main concerns revolve around the transparency and fairness of the preparation process. We’ve observed instances where census preparations have been marked by a lack of adequate communication with local communities, particularly with the Turkmen population. There have also been allegations that some groups have been excluded from the census administration, which raises questions about the representativeness of the process.
**Interviewer:** That’s quite concerning. How do these violations affect the integrity of the census itself?
**Ali Hasan:** The integrity of the census is crucial for ensuring that all communities are accurately represented in government planning and resource allocation. If specific communities, like the Turkmen, are marginalized at this stage, it could lead to underrepresentation in key areas such as political representation, funding for services, and development projects. This could further exacerbate tensions among different ethnic and cultural groups in the region.
**Interviewer:** The Iraqi government recently announced that the census would be conducted nationwide, including in the Kurdistan Region. How does this news affect the situation?
**Ali Hasan:** The announcement is a significant step toward unifying the country under one comprehensive census. However, the effectiveness of this process will hinge on how the planning and execution involve all communities equitably. We hope that the government takes our concerns seriously and ensures that proper measures are in place to address them before, during, and after the census takes place.
**Interviewer:** What actions does the Iraqi Turkmen Front plan to take in response to these violations?
**Ali Hasan:** We are committed to advocating for our community’s rights. We will be documenting incidents, raising awareness through media channels, and engaging with local and international organizations to put pressure on the government for accountability. Additionally, we call on the authorities to ensure that all community voices are heard during this important process.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ali, for sharing your insights. It’s essential to ensure that every community is accurately counted during this critical census.
**Ali Hasan:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital for all of us to remain vigilant during this process to ensure it serves the interests of every citizen in Iraq.
