Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid has called on the acting Speaker of Parliament, Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, to prioritize the draft law for the establishment of Halabja Governorate on the Parliament’s agenda. The President's request aims to expedite the voting process and ensure the law's passage.

In a message sent to Al-Mandalawi on Monday, President Rashid commended the Parliament for its efforts in enacting legislation that benefits the Iraqi people, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the country’s constitution.

The President's message stated: "Believing in the necessity of achieving justice and honoring sacrifices... and in loyalty to the blood of the martyrs and in recognition of the sacrifices of our people, we call on you to include the draft law for the establishment of Halabja Governorate on your esteemed Council's agenda, for the purpose of completing the voting process and passing the law."

President Rashid also expressed his deep gratitude to the members of Parliament for their support and their previous votes in favor of the law to establish Halabja as a governorate.

Halabja, a city with a significant historical legacy, was designated as a governorate by the Kurdistan Regional Government on March 13, 2014, after having been a district since 1998. The Kurdistan Regional Parliament had earlier recognized it as a governorate in 1999.

Despite the Iraqi Council of Ministers' approval of the draft law to officially establish Halabja Governorate on March 13, 2023, the law has yet to be passed by the Parliament. The President’s appeal underscores the urgency of finalizing the legislation to honor the sacrifices of the people of Halabja and to ensure justice is served.

The move to establish Halabja as a governorate is seen as a critical step in acknowledging the region's historical significance and the tragic events it has endured, particularly the chemical attack in 1988, which left thousands of Kurdish civilians dead. The official recognition as a governorate is expected to bring greater administrative autonomy and development to the region.