Iraq's census: PUK warns missing ethnicity question could “erase Kurdish identity”
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, thePatriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) urged Kurds to return to disputed areas andparticipate in the upcoming November census, highlighting it as a crucialopportunity to affirm “the national identity” of these regions.
Speaking at a press conferenceattended by Shafaq News Agency, Razgar Haji Hama, a member of the PUK'sPolitical Bureau, called on Kurds living outside the Kurdistan Region (KRI),particularly in disputed areas like Kirkuk and Khanaqin, to return to theirhomes before the census begins to register their names in the populationrecords.
“This census should not be conductedwithout including Kurds living in Kurdistani areas outside the Region,” Hama stated.“Kurds living outside Iraq can return with their official documents toparticipate in the census and confirm their residence in their cities.”
Hama explained, “The PUK has formedspecial committees to closely monitor the census process to ensure Kurdishcitizens’ participation.”
Moreover, he expressed concern overthe absence of a question about ethnicity in the current census forms,asserting that including such a question is essential to accurately reflect thenumber of Kurdish citizens in these areas. “Omitting the ethnicity questioncould distort the census results and erase Kurdish identity.”
“The census should be viewed as anational and ethnic matter, free from political disputes.” Hama stressed theneed for “joint efforts among all parties to ensure the success of theprocess.”
Iraq's last comprehensive populationcensus was conducted in 1987, involving all governorates, followed by a 1997census that excluded the KRI. Since then, the country has relied on approximatefigures from unofficial institutions and research centers, with the Ministry ofPlanning estimating the population at over 42 million in 2022.
The issue of disputed areas has beenone of Iraq's most complex and sensitive political challenges since 2003,characterized by significant ethnic and national diversity and stretchingbetween the Kurdistan Region and the Baghdad government.
The census has been delayed due toconcerns about its potential politicization. Ethnic groups in disputed areas,such as Kirkuk—a city with a mixed population of Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen andmajor oil fields—have opposed the census, fearing it might reveal a demographiccomposition that could undermine their political ambitions.
In this context, the census couldeither provide answers or further exacerbate tensions in a multi-ethnic countrythat has experienced sectarian violence since the 2003 US invasion and is nowfocused on securing its gains and determining how to allocate its vast oilwealth.
Since 2003, the Kurdistan Region hasadvocated for the inclusion of Kirkuk and a comprehensive population census,which could determine if Kurds are the largest ethnic group in the city,potentially strengthening their claim. It could also reveal the population inthe Region, affecting its share of the Iraqi government's revenue, currentlyaround 12%. However, while the census was expected to reveal Iraq's religiousor ethnic composition, there will be no questions on these aspects, sparkingresistance from residents in disputed areas.
