In a significant milestone for promoting good governance and reducing political interference, Aran Organization, with support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), has successfully published the first Honor Code aimed at preventing interventions in government affairs by members and officials of political parties in the Kurdistan Region.

Broad Participation

Over 100 political party members and officials from various parties in the region, including 36 members from the two major parties—the Kurdistan Democratic Party (PDK) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)—signed the Honor Code. These signatories pledged not to interfere in government affairs, a bold step toward fostering the rule of law.

Project Overview

The initiative was the culmination of 20 months of effort by Aran Organization, carried out in Halabja, Sulaymaniyah, and Erbil. The project sought to address one of the Kurdistan Region’s critical challenges: the undue influence of political parties on governmental institutions.

Hazhar Baban, the Director of Aran Organization, remarked:

“Intervening in government issues is a primary cause of many problems in the Kurdistan Region. Through this Honor Code, we asked political party members and officials to commit to non-intervention. While some rejected the idea, 100 individuals gladly signed it, making this a historic moment.”

A Bold Step Toward Reform

This Honor Code represents the first time a significant number of political party members and officials from multiple factions have united for a single purpose: promoting the rule of law by refraining from interference in government matters.

Hazhar Baban described the signing as a:

“Historical and brave decision by those who committed to the principles of non-intervention.”

Call to Action

Aran Organization emphasized the importance of accountability, urging media outlets and journalists to:

1. Monitor the actions of those who signed the Honor Code.
2. Report on their adherence to the commitments outlined in the agreement.

This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant step in strengthening democratic principles and governance in the Kurdistan Region, with Aran Organization at the forefront of this vital reform effort.