Full text of Gorran-PUK agreement, Iraqi Kurdistan

Gorran (L), PUK flags. Photo: NRT

SULAIMANI, Kurdistan region ‘Iraq’,— The Change Movement (Gorran) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) finalized a bilateral agreement between their parties in a signing ceremony on Tuesday (May 17) at former Iraqi President and PUK Secretary-General Jalal Talabani’s residence in Dabashan, Sulaimani. Below is the full text of the agreement translated by Sarkawt Shamsulddin, NRT.

Full Text: Gorran, PUK Agreement, In English

The Preface
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The Change Movement (Gorran) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), based on the belief of the necessity of the arrangement and partnership of their relations based on peaceful cooperation, the need to develop a national strategy, to develop good governance and social justice where the rule of law is maintained, the belief that cooperation is in the interest of the people and social stability and for the good of both sides, both sides agree to the following principles laid out in this agreement:

First Section

The Principles

Article One:

1. Both sides [PUK and Gorran] are committed to the implementation of this agreement and developing a partnership and laying the ground to protect the political, economic, legal and social achievements of our people. Both sides are committed to the integrity of and unity of the land and the people of Kurdistan.

2. Both sides confirm that this agreement is to serve to promote people’s welfare and their livelihood.

3. Both sides are committed to confronting terrorism under any title now and in the future.

Second Section

The Constitution and Political System

Article Two:

1. Both sides are committed to democracy and its core principles such as political pluralism, elections, the rule of law, justice, human rights, separating authorities from each other, the peaceful handover of power, and transparency.

2. Both sides strive for a parliamentary system as the best choice for Kurdistan now. According to this system, the president will be elected by parliament, and the prime minister of Kurdistan holds the highest executive power.

Article Three:

Both sides are working toward a democratic constitution that grants general rights and the rights of ethnic and religious groups, maintains the rule of law, which separates authorities and achieves checks and balances. A constitution that guarantees the peaceful handover of power.

Article Four:

1. Both sides support the decentralization of power, in which the provincial councils will have the full authority over management, financial and bureaucratic affairs of their provinces. To achieve this, the law number (3) of 2009 of provincial councils will be amended.

2. Both sides support the election of district and sub-district councils and work toward that goal.

Article Five:

Both sides are committed to removing legal and political barriers of legitimate institutions and the unconditional resumption of the Kurdistan Parliament.

Article Six:

Both sides agree on combatting corruption and to conduct reforms in political, legal, economic, financial, and management systems to find out radical solutions to the current crises facing Kurdistan. This goal will be achieved through serious political will, good governance, the rule of law, and institutionalization.

Article Seven:

1. Both sides agree on principles of good governance and fair political partnership for all political parties based on the results of the general elections.

2. Both sides agree on the active partnership of youth and women in the political process.

3. This agreement maintains both sides support civil society organizations and syndicates.

Article Eight:

1. Regarding education, higher education, health, social security and all other service sectors, both sides agree to conduct reforms in these sectors to achieve social justice and equal opportunity.

Article Nine:

1. Both sides are committed to eliminating the legacy of two administrations in the Kurdistan Region, and to build a unified institutionalized and strong administration.

2. Both sides are committed to criminalizing civil war and any clash with Kurdish parties.

Article Ten:

Both sides reiterate their commitment to support freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Peaceful assembly and demonstrations are considered as part of a democratic and civil movement. Both sides support freedom of expression in a peaceful way and away from violence.

Third Section

Independence and Referendum

Article Eleven:

1. Both sides reiterate that Kurdistan has the right to self-determination and independence. Preparation should be undertaken, including preparation for the referendum. This topic is a national matter, and in the light of national interests, it will be decided in the Kurdistan Parliament.

2. Both sides agree that a referendum should be conducted in the disputed areas as well.

Fourth Section

Judicial Authority

Article Twelve:

1. Both sides strive toward the independence of judicial power and judges professionally, financially and through management, and to enhance the institution of general prosecutor away from political intervention in judicial affairs. Both sides work together to amend judicial council law, general prosecutorial law, and all other laws related to achieving this goal.

2. Both sides support judicial authority to establish Kurdistan’s Supreme Court.

Fifth Section

Relations with Federal Government

Article Thirteen:

Both sides agree on finding suitable solutions for the issues with the Federal Government via dialogue based on national interests.

Article Fourteen:

Both sides consider reconnecting Kirkuk, Khanaqin, Sinjar, and other disputed areas to Kurdistan as a national duty.

Sixth Section

Factions and Government Team

Article Fifteen:

1. Both sides establish a coalition block in the Iraqi Parliament and the Kurdistan Parliament as well as provincial councils to strengthen legal and political cooperation. This coalition will be open for other parties to join based on special protocols.

2. This agreement allows both sides to create a joint faction in elections in Iraq and Kurdistan as well as provincial council elections.

3. This agreement maintains cooperation between government teams of both sides in the Iraqi government and the government of Kurdistan as well as the local governments.

Seventh Section

Peshmerga and Local Security Forces

Article Sixteen:

Regarding Peshmerga and security forces, both sides agree to institutionalize, professionalize and amend the law of the Ministry of Peshmerga, the Ministry of Interior, and Kurdistan’s Security Council and pass new laws for that purpose.

Eighth Section

Foreign Relations

Article Seventeen:

Both sides agreed on institutionalizing foreign relations to achieve balance and protect national interests and to organize it by law.

Article Eighteen:

Both Sides agree on:

1. People of Kurdistan should adopt a national strategy to prevent Kurdistan’s involvement in the sectarian conflict in Iraq and regionally as well.

2. On the level of Kurdistan, we support legitimate movements of our people in other parts of Kurdistan to achieve their rights.

Ninth Section

Economic Sectors and Oil

Article Nineteen:

Regarding economic sectors and oil, both sides agree on:

1. Oil, natural gas, and all other natural resources are public properties. Exploring, extracting and management of these resources should be transparent and institutionalized through constitutional institutions to guarantee the rights of the current and future generations.

2. Ending retina policy, and diversify the resources by developing agriculture, industry, and trade.

3. Drafting new bills and amending the related laws to end monopoly in the market and investment sector.

Tenth Section

Media

Article Twenty:

The media outlets of both sides cooperate to facilitate the implementation of this agreement.

Eleventh Section

Final Verdicts

Article Twenty-One:

Both sides of this agreement have the right to sign any agreement with other parties, but the agreement should not stand against the principles and articles of this agreement.

Article Twenty-Two:

This agreement came out to the interest of people, and other parties can join it per the approval of both sides.

Article Twenty-Three:

After signing this agreement, both sides can add margins and memorandums to it. After approval and signing the margins and protocols, they will be considered as part of this agreement.

Article Twenty-Four:

A leadership committee from both parties will be formed to follow up and implement this agreement. This joint committee will oversee the drafting of memorandums and margins, and a special committee will be formed to them.

Article Twenty-Five:

1. This agreement will be effective after signed documents are exchanged.

2. The final draft of this agreement will be available for public access.

Nawshirwan Mustafa Amin, Change Movement
Kosrat Rasul Ali, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan

Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan, 17 May 2016.