Nabaz Majeed – Activists
In today’s Kurdistan Region, violence has become a normalized part of daily life. Under the governance of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), no notion of peace or public safety remains meaningful. Rarely does a day pass without someone being shot—whether the motive is political or social.
Despite the recurrence of such incidents, the government and security institutions have consistently failed to treat them with the seriousness they demand. Both the Kurdistan Parliament and the executive authorities, while constitutionally responsible for passing and implementing laws, have proven unable or unwilling to enact and enforce strict legislation against the proliferation and misuse of weapons.
The role of the police and security forces has become disturbingly passive. Rather than preventing crimes, they are often mere spectators, arriving late to crime scenes or obstructing judicial processes. In many cases, they are either unwilling or incapable of arresting perpetrators—particularly when those responsible are shielded by political or governmental affiliations.
This breakdown in law enforcement is not accidental, but a direct consequence of the two ruling parties’ policies. For more than 30 years, PUK and KDP have dominated regional politics. Yet, they have failed to control the circulation of weapons, nor have they enforced any serious legislation to curb armed violence. On the contrary, during election periods, weapons are distributed as gifts or tools to buy votes, undermining the democratic process and fueling further violence.
This unchecked pattern of shootings and armed killings across Kurdistan’s cities and towns requires urgent action. The government must issue strong legislation and launch enforcement campaigns to confiscate illegal arms. There needs to be strict crackdowns on known sites of arms trade and storage, especially concerning unlicensed weapons.
Moreover, civil society organizations must take the lead in launching public awareness campaigns, targeting both the general population and individuals specifically. These campaigns must be long-term, consistent, and spread across all towns and cities in the Kurdistan Region, with a clear message against the possession and use of firearms.
