Fahmi Burhan, Chairman of the General Board of Kurdish Areas Outside the Kurdistan Region Administration, stated that the compensation process for individuals affected by Article 140 of the constitution has reached only 7%, despite budget allocations from Baghdad, stressing the implementation of the article is not only the responsibility of one person but the responsibility of the entire Iraqi government.

Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution deals with the normalization of the situation in Kirkuk, parts of Mosul, Diyala, and Saladin (such as Zummar, Shingal (Sinjar), Duz Khurmatu (Tuz Khurmatu), Khanaqin, Jalawla, and Mandali). 

The article aims to reverse the effects of demographic changes and oppressive policies implemented by the former Iraqi regime between 1968 and 2003.

Budget Allocated, Compensation Minimal

Burhan told Channel8 that although Baghdad allocated 200 billion dinars in 2023 to implement Article 140, "the budget went to the affairs of committees and employees, and very little has been allocated for compensation."

Regarding the first phase of the process of implementing Article 140, which is normalization and compensation of affected individuals under the Baath regime, he noted that so far, those who have been compensated have not reached 7 percent of the total number of people who should receive compensation.

Displaced Kurdish and Turkmen families: Each family will receive 10 million dinars to facilitate their return to their homeland. Settled Arab families: Each family will receive 20 million dinars to return to their areas of origin.

Iraqi not Fulfilled its Constitutional Duty

The chairman highlighted that the Iraqi government has not fulfilled its constitutional duty and is negligent in implementing the article.

He affirmed that as a representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government, he met multiple times with the chairman of the Article 140 committee and other officials.

Political Action Needed for Progress

"No government will take action to implement it unless the Kurdish political leadership works seriously on it politically," Burhan warned.