Kurdish American Group
United States of American
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Call for condemnation of KRG sentences against journalist and human rights activists!
On Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Erbil province court sentenced five journalists and human rights activists from Erbil and Duhok (Sherwan Sherwani, Gwhdar Mohammed, Ayaz karim, Shivan Sa’id and Hariwan Essa) for charges of spying and attempts to destabilize the region. The suspects jailed since October 2020 following protests asking for delayed salaries and better living conditions. Attended Erbil court in a hearing session on Monday and they were charged guilty in the second session on Tuesday despite the fact that the court has not provided any credible proof and none of them confessed of being guilty of spying and any illegal activities against KRG.
Moreover, Erbil court obtained private chats from their social media accounts, which is not sufficient evidence for the court to depend on in such dangerous accusations. It was clear to everyone that court verdict was based on interrogation by Kurdistan region security “Asayish”, who oversaw questioning the detainees. The court verdict was based on the controversial anti-terror bill which approved by Kurdistan parliament in 2003 that makes it hard for anyone to criticize the current situation in Kurdistan region.
We at Kurdish American Group (KAG), an independent non-governmental organization based in United State of America condemn these kinds of actions and sentences by any court in Kurdistan region, and ask ruling parties to refrain from using judicial system against press and opponents, moreover, we consider it political punishments against human rights activists and independent journalist who covers anti KRG protests and demand transparency in the region. We call upon all the press freedom champions groups around the world to join us in this condemnation and put further pressure on Kurdistan Regional Government to immediately release all these imprisoned journalists.