Metro Center: 385 violations against journalists recorded in the Kurdistan Region

Kurdistan 01:10 PM - 2021-01-16

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The Metro Center for Journalists Rights and Advocacy announced on Saturday, the annual report on the conditions of press freedom in the Kurdistan Region in 2020.

 

In a special ceremony that took place under the slogan "Attacking a journalist is attacking all journalists" and in the presence of Dr. Rewas Faeq, Speaker of the Parliament of Kurdistan, and a number of party and government officials, the Metro Center announced its report on press freedom in the Kurdistan Region.

 

According to the report recording 385 cases of violation against journalists, these violations took place against 291 journalists and media institutions in the Kurdistan Region, as follows:

 

1- 163 cases banned from coverage

 

2- 74 cases of arrest and detention without judicial orders

 

3- 30 cases of arrest and detention in violation of the Press Law

 

4- 48 cases of threats and insults

 

5- 8 cases of harassment against female journalists

 

6- 4 cases of closing channel offices 

 

7- 6 cases of breaking press equipment

 

8- 42 cases of confiscation of press equipment

 

9- 8 cases of being forced to sign pledges

 

10- 2 cases of electronic interference

 

As for the areas disputed between the KRG and the Iraqi government, the following violations were registered:

 

1- 71 cases banned from coverage

2- 30 cases of suspension without judicial orders

3- 9 cases of confiscation of press equipment

4- 7 cases of insult and attacking

5- 1 abduction case

 

It is noteworthy that the disputed areas are originally Kurdish areas defined by Article140 of Iraqi constitution as being Arabized during the former dictatorship Iraqi Baath regime.

 

Dr. Rewas Faeq said during the ceremony: "No reason can justify attacking a journalist."

 

Adding: "Unfortunately, now days a certain media, managed by parties and officials and is called bought media, gives statements in the name free media and works outside of the law, which is the reason behind attacking journalists."

 

 

 

PUKmedia