Journalism in Federated Kurdistan Region: Kidnapping, detention, arrest

2024-02-12 14:08:25


	NEWS CENTER - Describing the government's attitude towards journalists in the Federated Kurdistan Region as "hostile", Metro Center manager Diyarî Ahmed emphasized that not hearing from journalist Süleyman Ahmet for 111 days is "unacceptable".

	 

	Journalists are under threat in the Federated Kurdistan Region. According to Metro Center for the Protection of Journalists' Rights (MCJR) data, there were 249 violations against journalists in the Federated Kurdistan Region in 2023. In 2023 alone, 37 journalists were detained. The most striking example of these violations is the uncertainty regarding the situation of Rojnews Arabic editor Süleyman Ahmet.

	 

	While Ahmet was returning from Northern and Eastern Syria to the Federated Kurdistan Region, he was detained by forces affiliated with the KDP at the Pesh Xabûr (Sêmalka) Border Gate on October 25. It is stated that Ahmet was detained and arrested. However, all meeting applications of the family and lawyers have been rejected so far. Even though 111 days have passed, no statement has been made regarding Ahmet's situation.

	 

	Diyarî Ahmed, one of the managers of the Metro Center for the Protection of Journalists' Rights (MCJR), pointed out that the situation in the region has become dangerous for journalists.

	 

	'KDP WANTS TO TAKE IT UNDER CONTROL'

	 

	Stating that KDP pressures caused many journalists to leave the profession, Ahmed said: "The mentality of the Kurdistan Region government is a dangerous mentality. This mentality is dangerous for the media. It wants all journalists and media organizations in the region to take control and prepare and distribute news according to their own wishes. KDP does this very easily. There is a hostile approach towards free press workers, especially in the region. The government sees free press workers as a threat and therefore increases its attacks as much as possible. These attacks, pressures, arrests and detentions reduce real journalism."

	 

	'36 JOURNALISTS WERE ARRESTED WITHOUT COURT ORDER'

	 

	Pointing out that arbitrary lawsuits have been filed against journalists, Ahmed said: "It is said that the Kurdistan Region is a separate region. They say that it has laws and that these laws protect the freedom of journalists. But unfortunately, this is not the case. When we look at CPJ's 2022 report, We will see 293 journalists arrested, 4 of them in Iraq. The Kurdistan Region is also included in the list of detained journalists. This is the first time this has happened. We see that journalists are facing big problems here. The sentences of many journalists have been confirmed and the cases of many of them are still in court. That's just it. More than 36 journalists were arrested this year without a court order."

	 

	'NO NEWS FROM AHMED'

	 

	Stating that fair trials were not carried out, Ahmed said: "This shows us that the consciousness of the government is not a correct consciousness and that it cannot act rationally. They act against logic with pressure and attacks. There was no fair trial process for journalist Süleyman Ahmed. The arrest of Süleyman Ahmed and the situation of not being able to hear from him. Ahmed has been in prison for more than 3 months and has not been allowed to meet with his lawyers. It is unacceptable for a journalist to be isolated in this way."

	 

	Pointing out that human rights principles are not implemented in the Federated Kurdistan Region, Ahmed said: "This is not only the problem of the Metro Center, the Journalists' Union and some foreign organizations, but the problem of everyone who believes in human rights and freedoms. Journalists must have freedom in all areas of life. We must demand it.”

	 

	MA / Zeynep Durgut