Kurdish government responds to HRW claims

ERBIL, Iraq, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Claims made about minority groups in Iraqi Kurdistan reveal a "systematic misperception" of the actual circumstances, the Kurdish government claims.

Human Rights Watch in a 51-page report on the religious minority community in Iraq accuses the Kurdistan Regional Government of "imposing Kurdish identity" on Shabaks and Yazidis.

The report also alleges regional security forces are harassing many minority groups in the north.

"Iraqi authorities, both Arab and Kurdish, need to rein in security forces, extremists and vigilante groups to send a message that minorities cannot be attacked with impunity," the report states.

The KRG in a rebuttal says the HRW "report reveals a systematic misperception of the circumstances" in the region and "produces an inaccurate portrayal of the situation."

The rebuttal claims the Kurdish government in Erbil has done more to protect minority communities in Iraq than any other group, insisting on tolerance and religious coexistence.

Northern Iraq hosts several ethnic and religious minority groups. The Christian population is often the subject of targeted killings.

The KRG blames regional terrorists for the attacks on religious minorities, saying its Peshmerga forces are "part of the solution, not the problem."

"The blame falls squarely on (the terrorists') shoulders, and they should be held accountable," the government adds.

On the issue of ethnicity, the KRG notes it is not up to HRW to make any assertions regarding minority communities in Iraq and maintains the government is committed to peace and stability for all of its citizens.