The Role of CSOs in The Democratisation Process in Iraqi Kurdistan

Abstract

This article examines the role of CSOs in the democratisation process in IK and shows that they have a strong and important position in the Kurdish community. Historically, all Iraqi governments have not believed in democracy, so CSOs have had no role to play. However, since the establishment of the Kurdistan Regional Government in 1992, it has, to some extent, followed the democratic system and provided the freedom to work for CSOs. Nevertheless, CSOs have faced many obstacles until they reached the strong position, they now have in participating in the democratisation process. This study uses historical, descriptive, and political analysis to establish that CSOs play a vital role in the democratisation process in Iraqi Kurdistan by using proposals and pressure. Given the serious dependence of CSOs on freedom for their operation, the study concluded that CSOs need to be free from political and financial independence to carry out their activities without hindrance and have more roles in the democratisation process.