Introduction
    Iraq, a country marked by its rich cultural and ethnic diversity, is home to various ethnic and religious groups, including Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Assyrians, Shabaks, Yazidis, Armenians, Sabeans, Mandaean, Kakia’, Shabek, Kurds Faily, and Zoroastrianism, and others including Black Iraqis, Roma and March Arabs. Despite this diversity, many of these groups face systemic discrimination and marginalization. This report focuses on the situation of racial discrimination in Iraq, with a particular emphasis on the right to health for ethnic minorities. We are guided in this by Article 5 - (iv) of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination on “The right to public health, medical care, social security and social services”.

Discrimination in Healthcare
Access to Healthcare Services:
Ethnic minorities often live in underdeveloped regions with limited access to healthcare facilities. For example, areas predominantly inhabited by Yazidis and Turkmen have fewer hospitals and clinics compared to Arab-majority regions.
Economic disparities further exacerbate access issues, with minorities frequently lacking the financial resources to afford private healthcare.
Minorities are forced in certain circumstances to pay bribes to access healthcare services.
Some healthcare workers of extremist ideologies occasionally engage in racist behaviours with patients and other staff from ethnic and religious minorities.
Ethnic minorities had more adverse outcomes in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quality of Healthcare:
In minority-populated areas, healthcare facilities are often underfunded, poorly equipped, and understaffed. This results in lower quality care for minority communities.
There are reports of discriminatory attitudes among healthcare providers towards ethnic minorities, which can discourage individuals from seeking medical help.
Health Outcomes:
Disparities in healthcare access and quality contribute to poorer health outcomes among ethnic minorities. Higher rates of infant mortality, malnutrition, and preventable diseases are reported in these communities.
Mental health issues are prevalent among minorities who have suffered from conflict, displacement, and ongoing discrimination. However, mental health services are severely lacking.
Environmental determinants of health:
Minority-populated areas in Iraq are often rich in natural resources, mainly oil and gas. These populations are the victims of exploiting those resources, corruption in the use of Corporate Social Responsibility and the environmental harms caused by extraction of oil and gas.
Employment opportunities in the health sector:
Minorities are often discriminated against in relation to employment opportunities in the health sector particularly assuming senior posts in the Ministry of Health.
Case Studies
Yazidis:
The Yazidi community, particularly affected by the genocide perpetrated by ISIS, continues to face severe challenges in accessing healthcare. Displacement and the destruction of their homeland have left many without adequate medical services.
Survivors of ISIS atrocities, especially women, require specialized medical and psychological care, which is often unavailable or inaccessible.
The privatization of health services means that Yazidis (women in particular) are unable to pay for often expensive private healthcare services.
Turkmen:
Turkmen communities have faced targeted violence and displacement, particularly in contested areas like Kirkuk. This has disrupted their access to healthcare services.
Turkmen have reported instances of discrimination in hospitals, where they are sometimes given lower priority compared to Arab patients.
Kurds:
While the Kurdish population in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq has better healthcare infrastructure, Kurds in other parts of Iraq face similar challenges as other minorities.
Political tensions between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the central Iraqi government have sometimes hindered the provision of health services to Kurdish areas outside the KRG’s control.
Roma population
This population has been the target of attacks including their medical facilities in recent years. This population faces systematic discrimination limiting their access to basic health service.
Shabak:
Shabak women in particular report racist behaviour in healthcare facilities denying them access to essential health services.
Some Shabak women reported unwillingness to access healthcare in hospitals located outside their areas due to fears that birth certificates state that they are not Shabak resulting in demographic change.
Sabean-Mandaean
Sabean-Mandaean reports discrimination in access to healthcare.
Government and International Responses
Government Initiatives:
The Iraqi government has made some efforts to improve healthcare access through various initiatives and international collaborations. However, these efforts often fail to reach the most marginalized communities.
Corruption and inefficiency within the healthcare system further hinder progress.
International Aid and NGOs:
International organizations and NGOs play a crucial role in providing healthcare to ethnic minorities in Iraq. Initiatives by the United Nations and other humanitarian groups have helped bridge some gaps.
However, these efforts are often limited in scope and sustainability, highlighting the need for a more robust and inclusive national healthcare strategy.
Recommendations
Policy and Legislative Reforms:
Strengthen anti-discrimination laws and ensure their rigorous enforcement to protect the rights of ethnic minorities.
Develop and implement policies specifically aimed at improving healthcare access and quality for minority populations.
Infrastructure Development:
Invest in healthcare infrastructure in minority-populated regions, ensuring equitable distribution of resources.
Enhance training and capacity-building for healthcare providers to reduce discriminatory attitudes and improve service delivery.
International Collaboration:
Increase collaboration with international organizations to secure funding and technical assistance for healthcare projects targeting ethnic minorities.
Foster partnerships with NGOs to leverage their expertise and reach in marginalized communities.
Community Engagement:
Engage minority communities in the planning and implementation of healthcare initiatives to ensure their needs and perspectives are adequately addressed.
Promote awareness campaigns to inform minorities of their healthcare rights and available services.
Conclusion
Racial discrimination in Iraq continues to impede the right to health for many ethnic minorities. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from the Iraqi government, international community, and civil society. By implementing targeted policies, improving infrastructure, and fostering inclusive healthcare practices, Iraq can make significant strides toward ensuring health equity for all its citizens.

List of Name NGOs:
Health Academy for Studies and Research
Sazgar MS Organization
Kurdistan Health Aid Organization
Public Aid Organization
DOHI
HPRU

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