Avin Ata, a reporter for Sulaimaniyah-based Zoom TV, is awaiting the outcome of her complaint against the security forces in Halabja whom detained and hurt her after stopping her from media coverage. According to the applicable law, the assailant could face imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Avin, who works as a journalist in Halabja Northern Province, went to the Sipay unofficial border point with Iran in Khurmal district on August 18 to cover a story.
She was assigned to cover reaction of locals following the shooting and killing of a Kurdish carrier taking goods from one side to the other illegally by the Iraqi border guards.
"I wanted to cover the funeral of the young carrier," she said.
“When I made it there, all the young men were heading the Iraqi border guard point as reaction to shooting the young carrier dead and were planning to burn it.”
The young man was from Sargata village in Khurmal district, near the border.
Avin had previously informed the head of the channel's reporters department about her plans to go to the border, and they advised her to be cautious.
"When I arrived there, the Asayish (Kurdish security forces) instructed us to enter the border point building. They detained us for about 40 minutes and prevented us from covering the event. I was afraid they would confiscate our equipment," Avin recalled.
They detained us for about 40 minutes and prevented us from covering the event
One of the Asayish approaches her to take the camera but she rejects.
"He rudely demanded my camera, and when I refused, he physically attacked me and tried to take it away," Avin said. The altercation resulted in injuries to her shoulder. Medical reports indicated that her arm had dislocated in three places, along with severe swelling and neck tension, a medical report shows.
According to the Iraqi Journalists' Rights Law and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region IKR Press Law, journalists have the freedom to work and are entitled to attend conferences and public events for professional purposes.
“I have not uttered one word so that they have no excuse against me. I just called my channel and told them I am detained.”
The local and international organizations, human rights advocates members of the Iraqi and Kurdistan parliaments MPs continuously express their grave concern that the journalists and the freedom of press are increasingly under threat all over Iraq including the IKR.
Almost 249 violations were registered against journalists in the IKR last year, according to the Metro Center for the Protection of Journalists' Rights metro.org.
According to the statistics, the 249 violations were committed against 247 journalists, including 134 cases of obstruction and discrimination, 38 cases of confiscation of journalistic equipment, 37 cases of detention without a court order, 27 cases of attacks, threats and insults.
Controversially, the Iraqi Kurdistan Union of Journalists (KUJ) has reported 62 cases of violations against journalists across 2023.
Avin reported the incident and filed a lawsuit against the security forces. "Out of over 100 people present, I was the only female journalist," she stated.
“They should have not treated me so badly because I did not insult any one.”
Qubad Talabani, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government KRG, assured Zoom TV, close to Lahur Sheikh Jangi, former co-president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, that they would investigate the case thoroughly and take action against anyone found guilty of negligence or abuse of power.
The Iraqi Penal Code, Article 413, stipulates penalties for those found guilty of assaulting others intentionally. Violators could face imprisonment, fines, or both, depending on the severity of the injuries caused.
From May 3, 2023 to May 2, 2024, over 330 violations were recorded in Iraq, including arrests, injuries, armed attacks, obstruction, beatings and lawsuits against journalists, according to the Press Freedom Advocacy Association in Iraq.
Baghdad topped the list, followed by Erbil and Basra, then Nineveh with 32, Kirkuk with 27 violations, Diyala with two and Salahaddin with one case.
Avin emphasized her determination to seek justice and follow-up for the incident. "
I will not rest until the security forces are held accountable... I will never forgive them," she declared while awaiting a decision on her complaint.
