Iraqi journalists rights defense association annual report Kurdistan regional office in Iraq

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Press release of the Iraqi journalists rights defense association

Kurdistan is the worst region and the most dangerous place in Iraq for freedom of expression and journalists in 2017 the Iraqi journalists rights defense association Kurdistan regional office in Iraq expresses its  condemnation and resentment Against crimes, violations and continuous threats against journalists and ill-treatment practiced against journalists in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and bear the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq and its institutions full responsibility, It seems that the human rights in the Kurdistan are in imminent danger, especially freedom of expression, and the increasing numbers of crimes and violations against journalists and media institutions without prosecution and accountability For those involved in these violations against journalists where they are allowed to go unpunished. The press work in Kurdistan is going through a difficult period full of violations and challenges where the Kurdistan region is witnessing serious waves To mute free voices and suffocate freedom of speech and expression. It seems that the press and media work in the Kurdistan Region compared to our reports and monitoring in the previous years are exposed to serious violations and 2017 appears to be a black year and shame in the eyes of the concerned parties and decision makers in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, where the largest proportion of crimes against journalists took place. the security services of the party committed serious crimes against the freedom of expression and opinion which are guaranteed under international treaties, conventions and agreements. In addition, freedom of press and the right to express opinion are guaranteed by the Iraqi constitution and law in Iraq and the region. therefore, the authorities and stakeholders are responsible for protecting journalists and respecting the constitution and laws. Mr. Bishua Sida, the director of Iraqi journalists rights defense association Kurdistan regional office, also described the press work in the region is going through a very difficult period. Many journalists have been subjected to serious attempts by the press organizations, and the security authorities are trying to silence freedom of expression and restrict freedom of the press. The Director of the Association's office in the region called on all concerned parties, international and national organizations and civil society to take urgent and speedy action to protect the lives of journalists and put an end their recurring tragedies. The central government must do its duty to protect journalists, rights, and freedom. Also respect democracy and freedom of the press and media. the director of the Office in Kurdistan Region stated that all these crimes and violations against journalists go unpunished and what increases our pain is that the cases of such crimes this year exceeded all previous years. It seems that the Kurdistan region is the worst region in Iraq for freedom of expression in 2017, where there were 142 case of violation against journalists, and they were considered to be the most dangerous types of crimes. the violations are shooting at journalists, burning media institutions and threatening to kill and kidnap journalists, imprisonment, detention of journalists, confiscation of journalists' tools and beating journalists, attacking and breaking journalists' equipment, scanning cameras and preventing them from media coverage and closing channels and websites and prevent them from broadcasting. In addition to lawsuits and violations of laws and treaties. the violation of the Iraqi constitution and the violation of media regulation in Kurdistan Region and the majority of these crimes. also violations and threats, most of them committed by government agencies and parties. as the proportion of those crimes attributed to government bodies and security forces 86% and 78% by party officials, their supporters and their loyalists. And the private sector and ordinary people is about 3%, but the percentage of crimes committed by unknowns is 7% and violations against journalists and violate their rights by the institutions is about 0%. We from Iraqi journalists rights defense association address the authorities in the province Iraqi Kurdistan with respect to freedom of expression, protection of journalists and respect for the Iraqi constitution and international treaties and conventions and media regulation that guarantees rights, freedoms, and protection of the journalists. 

Kurdistan regional office in Iraq

Iraqi journalists rights defense association

 

www.ijrda.org