Party Controlled Court Sentences Sherwani

Reports 10:42 AM - 2023-07-25

Journalist Sherwan Sherwani.

There have been an increasing number of demonstrations in response to the Erbil Court's decision to sentence journalist Sherwan Sherwani to a second four-year sentence, and groups and syndicates dedicated to defending journalists' rights are advocating for his immediate and unconditional release.

Some journalists believe that the court's party-influenced treatment of journalist Sherwan Sherwani is intended to send a message to journalists in Badinan and the yellow zone that silences the voices of protest and curtails freedom of expression.

The Kurdistan Region has a law on journalism

Karwan Anwar, Secretary of the Sulaymaniyah branch of the Kurdistan Syndicate of Journalists, told PUKMEDIA: "The re-punishment of journalist Sherwan Sherwani is an odd case because he was previously sentenced to six years in prison, and his punishment from prison is an unusual case that calls the court and the law into question."

"The treatment of Sherwan Sherwani sends a signal to other journalists, especially those working in Badinan and the yellow zone. In any case, since Kurdistan has a law on journalism, those who break it should be punished in accordance with that law, he continued.

How long will the Yellow Zone journalists keep quiet?

A police system against journalists was anticipated at the beginning of the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), especially in the yellow zone, and according to sources from abroad, the media situation in Kurdistan is unfavorable.

"Although we anticipated that the establishment of the police system would worsen the situation for journalists in this cabinet, how long would they keep quiet about the circumstances there?" Anwar added. Even international reports claim that the media environment is unfavorable for journalists in the Kurdistan Region, particularly in the yellow zone."

"We, the Sulaymaniyah branch of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate, have spoken out against all the abuses of journalists in the Kurdistan Region, but we question why the Syndicate of Journalists is silent and has not even released a statement on Sherwan Sherwani's punishment. The Syndicate has to take a serious stand against the arrest and punishment of journalists and exert pressure on the government," he continued.

Sherwani's lack of freedom is a restriction on freedom of expression

The trial of Sherwan Sherwani and his comrades is intended to undermine freedom of expression by sending a subliminal message to activists and journalists in Badinan.

Rahman Gharib, Coordinator of the Metro Center for Journalists' Rights and Advocacy, told PUKMEDIA, "The trial of Sherwan Sherwani and his associates did not follow the rules of a fair trial and was not shielded from political interference. The purpose of the procedure was to silence protesters and limit freedom of expression."

"With this most recent ruling from the Erbil Court, the KRG is indirectly warning all serious critics, journalists, and activists that their fates will not be better than Sherwan Sherwanis'. "Therefore, Metro Center opposes the decision to deny Sherwan Sherwani his freedom as an injustice against all freedom fighters," he continued.

Erbil Court made its decision under party pressure

On July 24, 2023, journalist Kamal Rauf read the statement of opposition from 17 media organizations and 150 journalists regarding the case of journalist Sherwan Sherwani, saying: "Under pressure from a party authority, the Erbil Court sentenced journalist Sherwan Sherwani to an additional four years in prison on a frivolous charge with no logical justification."

The sentencing of Sherwan Sherwani demonstrates how the Kurdistan Region's standing in terms of democracy, rights, and press freedom is deteriorating daily as a result of an unjust and anti-freedom government system. The region has become dangerous for journalists and free speech, according to the statement.

Rauf continued, "As journalists, we reject and condemn the injustice committed in the name of the law and the court against our friend Sherwan Sherwani." On the other hand, we place a high priority on press freedom laws and rights, and we prohibit journalists from being subjected to political vengeance or tribal animosity. We, therefore, raise our voices in support of Sherwan Sherwani's plight and demand his immediate and unrestricted release."

"The Kurdish struggle was for freedom, but now that we are free, there are attempts to restrict our freedoms once more. This has been the most contentious issue between the government, journalists, and freedom fighters, particularly in this cabinet," he continued.

International sources assert that there has been a significant decrease in the freedom of the press and freedom of speech during the tenure of this cabinet and that the government has increased the amount of pressure that is placed on activists and journalists. The journalists claim that the current environment in the Kurdistan Region is not conducive to their work and that they are putting themselves in danger as a result of the line of work that they are in.


PUKMEDIA