Team members during this period were Anita David, Peggy Gish, and Chihchun Yuan.

The team continued to work on the report on human rights violations and Turkish-Iranian border attacks.

CPTers visited representatives of the KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) Council of Ministers and local mayors on behalf of Kani Spi villagers and Zharawa IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) to track down missing compensation money. In discussions with officials, they discovered that the government has no consistent compensation process in place for victims of attacks and Parliamentarians do not represent people, but only their party's interests. 

Yuan, David, and Gish met in Kirkuk with four women from different ethnic and religious backgrounds who represent local NGOs working on peacemaking and reconciliation projects.  Two of the women developed media projects to bring attention to and encourage coalitions of local citizens to resist ethnic and religious divisions.  They also developed projects to train journalists and advocate for their freedom of speech; produce TV programs focusing on peace and reconciliation themes; train women for empowerment, and provide a shelter for women under threat. One program, called, Together For Peace,” brings religious leaders of different faiths together to develop common social programs.

Two of the women developed youth projects.  One woman initiated a sports program, bringing together Turkmen, Kurdish, Arab, and Christian girls, to build positive relationships as they play volleyball.  Before each game, they spend thirty minutes discussing peace. Another woman initiated an “arts for peace” program with Turkmen, Kurdish, Arab, and Christian children in twenty-five primary and secondary schools located within the Kirkuk area.  She also works on a project that prepares women for top positions in government.

All the women interviewed believe the political parties are the main obstacle to their work for reconciliation in Kirkuk.  The parties pursue their own interests in order to gain votes in the March elections and disseminate propaganda that encourages hatred among different ethnic, and religious groups. Some ethnic leaders have started private schools, deliberately separating children from children of other backgrounds.  “The people of Kirkuk feel disconnected, don't feel good about their country and government,” said the women.  “We don't receive any benefit from the oil reserves here, but the politicians fight for it and that affects my life.  Neither the KRG nor the Central government want to fix or build up Kirkuk, because they may lose it.”

The women also discussed the U.S. military presence. “ People here have mixed feelings,” they said.  “American control of the government in Iraq might be the reason why we don’t have a civil war here now. But they also caused many problems. U.S. soldiers have killed hundreds of people, not only terrorists, but also children, ordinary people, often shooting them at random.  [One woman] saw them kill a five-year-old-boy because the boy was too close to their vehicle, without seeming to care. They care only about protecting themselves. . .Many people see U.S. presence as attracting terrorism and if they leave, terrorists acts will decrease. Others say the violence would escalate.”

During the Muslim Eid al Adha, CPTers delivered small homemade cakes to friends and neighbors. Team members decorated the house with paper snowflakes and origami.  At a friend's Christmas Party they participated in a talent show and listened to Kurdish men sing Kurdish ballads.  Later, at home, they held their third annual Christmas treasure hunt. On New Year's Eve, CPTers celebrated with Kurdish neighbors, watching the public fireworks display from their roof.