16 media outlets and publishing institutions in Iraq including KirkukNow media outlet called in a statement on international organizations for protection of freedom of journalism and expression to support their efforts for immediate revocation of the jail sentence against the five journalists and activists.
“It is crystal clear that officials of Kurdistan region do not pay any respect for freedom of journalism and freedom of expression anymore,” the statement said.
“It is crystal clear that officials of Kurdistan region do not pay any respect for freedom of journalism and freedom of expression anymore,” the statement said.
The five independent journalists and civil society activists were found guilty of "undermining national security" and sentenced to six years in prison by the Erbil Criminal Court on Tuesday February, 16th.
Brought before a court in the regional capital, Erbil, on February 15, the three freelance journalists (Sherwan Sherwani, Guhdar Zebari and Ayaz Karam) and the two activists (Hariwan Essa & Shivan Sa'id) are victims of a wave of arrests carried out by the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in response to a series of major protests in recent months against its handling of the economic crisis resulting from disputes over oil production, export and corruption, and reached its peak under the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lawyers of the detainees, observers and the MPs attended the trial said the court has not presented any credible proof of the sentencing.
"Attorneys of the detainees, observers and the MPs attended the trial confirm the court has not presented any credible proof of the conviction. None of the detainees confessed the charges of (spying and plotting coup) they are accused of. The attendants of the trial insist the detainees were members of chat groups of social media for journalist and civil activists," the statement added.
The verdict resulted in wide protest locally and internationally by journalists, MPs and lawyers whom believe the target is suppression of freedom of expression and media in the region.
Shayan Askari, member of Iraqi Kurdistan parliament attended the court session. "Usually, reporters and activists have private chat groups to share information so never chat between two people is a proof for six-year prison sentence," she said in the press conference in front of Erbil appellate court on Tuesday.
New-York based Committee to Protect Journalists CPJ issued a statement denouncing the sentencing and calling for immediate release of the detainees.
“Today’s sentencing of journalists Sherwan Amin Sherwani and Guhdar Zebari is not only unfair and disproportionate, but it also proves that the Iraqi Kurdistan regional government has finally dropped the pretense of caring about press freedom,” said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Representative Ignacio Miguel Delgado. “Kurdish authorities in northern Iraq should immediately release both journalists, drop the charges against them, and cease harassing the media.”
In reply, Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government KRG PM Masrour Barzani tweeted on Friday “I strongly urge everyone to respect the judiciary system in the Kurdistan Region and to let it do its job independently and without interference.”
"We believe in such circumstances; immediate stands will have influential impact," the statewment by the media outlets concluded.
Below is the statement in full
Statement by 16 media outlets and publishers
Statement of Protest
Iraqi Kurdistan, 19.02.2021
Freedom of journalism and freedom of expression under Iraqi Kurdistan Region’s Government (KRG) are passing through a threatening moment, it is crystal clear that officials of Kurdistan region do not pay any respect for freedom of journalism and freedom of expression any more.
In an alarming escalation, Iraqi Kurdistan’s Erbil criminal court sentenced five journalists and civil society activists of Erbil and Duhok northern province for six-years in jail. Erbil and Duhok detainees (Sherwan Sherwani, Guhdar Mohammed, Ayaz Karam, Hariwan Essa and Shivan Sa'id) were arrested five months ago and accused of “plotting to destabilize the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region”. They appeared in court on 15.02.2021 and in the second day of the trial they were found guilty by court. Their trial generated a wide wave of protest among journalists, attorneys, civil society activists and members of the parliament MPs.
Attorneys of the detainees, observers and the MPs attended the trial confirm the court has not presented any credible proof of the conviction. None of the detainees confessed the charges of “spying and plotting coup” they are accused of. The attendants of the trial insist the detainees were members of chat groups of journalists and civil activists on social media platforms.
This escalation is seriously alarming as Iraqi Kurdistan courts instead of effectively relying on the law of journalism work No. 35 in 2007 and the law of organization of demonstrations in Kurdistan region NO. 11 in 2010, they sentence journalists and activists according to law No. 21 in 2003 which is based on article 156 of the law 111 of Iraqi penal code of the Ba’ath party led by Saddam Hussein regime, and amended by parliament of Kurdistan, Iraq, in order to impose toughest sentences and intimidation and finally narrow the space for freedom of expression to the maximum. This escalation pushes for more restraints, censorship and self-censorship. It is clear that Ba’ath Party had legalized this bill in particular to suppress freedom, reprisal and eradication of all its opponents.
We, the below signed media outlets and publishing institutions, call on the organizations for protection of freedom of press and expression to back their fellow journalists, media outlets and organizations promoting freedom of expression in Iraqi Kurdistan for immediate revocation of the jail sentence against the five journalists and activists.
We believe in such circumstances; immediate stands will have an influential impact.
Participant institutions:
Nalia Media Corporation, Sulaymaniyah
KirkukNow Media Outlet, Kirkuk
Standard Institution for research and media, Erbil
Sardam Institution for Printing and Publishing, Sulaymaniyah
Spee Media Magazine and Website, Sulaymaniyah
Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights and Advocacy, Sulaymaniyah
Draw Media Website, Sulaymaniyah
KOmall Media Network, Sulaymaniyah
Speda TV Channel, Erbil
Westga Media Institution, Sulaymaniyah
Esta Website, Radio and TV, Erbil
Dang Radio, Kalar
Awena Paper and website, Sulaymaniyah
Communist Party Media
