Over 50 Civil Society Groups Warn International Community Over Support for Party-Linked NGOs in Kurdistan Region

Peregraf- Over 50 civil society networks, organizations, and individuals have issued an appeal to representatives of the international community working in the Kurdistan Region, warning that political parties are systematically tightening control over the NGO sector, and that foreign assistance is increasingly being channeled to partisan-aligned organizations at the expense of independent civil society.
In their joint statement, the signatories said there has been a deliberate campaign to bring non-governmental groups under political influence. They noted that, over the past several years, a large number of NGOs have been formed that maintain direct or indirect links to ruling political families and parties.

According to the appeal, although the Kurdistan Region officially has more than 6,000 registered NGOs, a select group has received access to public funds and property "without clear mechanisms, transparency, or accountability." These entities, they argued, serve partisan interests rather than the true needs of society.

The group expressed concern that many diplomatic missions, international donors, and foreign NGOs are now unintentionally reinforcing this structure by directing funding and resources to politically-affiliated organizations, enabling them to expand their networks and influence.
They warned that this trend is producing several harmful outcomes:

1. Marginalizing independent organizations:
Long-standing non-partisan NGOs are losing access to resources, limiting their ability to operate effectively.
2. Entrenching undemocratic practices:
International support risks reinforcing patronage networks and corruption while weakening broader democratic development.
3. Driving youth toward migration:
The signatories say young people increasingly lose faith in change when opportunities are perceived as unfairly distributed, pushing many to consider leaving the country.The appeal urged embassies, consulates, development agencies, and international NGOs to reassess their due-diligence processes when selecting local partners to ensure political and financial independence.
"We request that you review your due-diligence mechanisms and implement a more rigorous process for evaluating partner organizations," the statement said, calling for fair and direct engagement with independent NGOs.
The groups pledged to monitor the conduct of civil society organizations and their partnerships and to publish reports on the issue.
The message frames the concern in the context of decades of instability, including war, extremism, and ongoing socioeconomic pressures, which they say have repeatedly disrupted democratic development. While acknowledging that international aid has played an important role in strengthening civil society, the signatories warned that current funding patterns risk undermining these achievements.
"We believe you desire an active civil society," the statement concluded, affirming that independent actors remain committed to building a democratic future in cooperation with international partners.
The appeal was addressed to:
• Embassies and consulates
• International development agencies
• International NGOs
The signatories stressed that advancing democracy and human rights in the Kurdistan Region requires transparent support for non-partisan civil society rather than reinforcing politically aligned structures.
Names of Networks and Organizations:
1. Federation of Organizations (10 organizations and 10 activists)
Organizations:
1. Center for Democracy and Human Rights Development (DHRD)
2. Aran Organization
3. Dabin Organization
4. Azadbun Organization
5. Women's Legal Aid Organization (WOLA)
6. Halwest Organization
7. Women's Academy
8. Sarkawtn House for Capacity Building
9. Kurdistan for All Organization
10. Youth Activity Development Center
Activists:
11. Shorsh Amin
12. Awat Mohammed
13. Bakhtiar Abdullah
14. Salar Fattah
15. Aliya Faraj
16. Kner Abdullah
17. Qaysar Rahman
18. Faraidoon Hassan
19. Ashwaq Najib
20. Runak Rafeeq
2. Halabja Organizations Network (24 organizations)
21. Youth Activity Development Center
22. Green Kurdistan Society
23. Youth Development Center
24. Shinroy Kakay Organization for Human Development
25. Sina Organization for Research and Development
26. Halabja Governorate Monitoring Board
27. Twanist Organization for Capacity Development
28. Shari Organization for Individual Development
29. Dil Organization for Education and Service
30. Kurdistan Students and Youth Relations Organization
31. Hanar Organization for Agriculture and Environment
32. Kurdish National Organization for Education and Environment
33. Zhyar Institute for Education and Human Development
34. Kurdistan Students Development Organization
35. Islamic Sisters Relations Organization
36. United Islamic Sisters of Kurdistan
37. Halabja Mountaineering Association
38. Kurdistan Kidney Protection Organization
39. Advocacy Board for Universities and Institutes
40. Islamic Sisters of Kurdistan Organization
41. Kurdistan Nature Organization
42. Kurdish Livelihood Organization
43. Women's Legal Aid Organization
44. Zhywai Organization
3. Halabja Organizations Solidarity Platform (8 organizations)
45. New Organization for Environmental Protection and Women's Rights
46. Halabja Disabled Persons Organization
47. Arami Halabja Organization for Human and Environmental Protection
48. Dare Organization
49. Women's Empowerment Organization
50. Mrov Center Organization
51. Healthy Environment Organization
52. Environmental Friend Organization
4. Modern Education Platform (4 organizations)
53. Modern Education Organization
54. Education Development Organization
55. New Education Organization
56. Contemporary Education Organization
5. Other Organizations
57. Pasewan Organization for Public Policy Research
58. Wala Foundation for Sustainable Development
59. Deng Radio
60. Bima Organization for Economic and Social Rights
61. Pay Foundation for Education and Development