European Union issues statement on sentencing of 5 journalists, activists in Erbil

Kurdistan 07:06 PM - 2021-06-30

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The European Union Delegation, and the diplomatic mission of the European Union in Iraq, expressed their resentment with the Kurdistan Region's Court of Cassation decision of upholding the imprisonment of the Badinan journalists for a period of 6 years.

 

The European Union Delegation issued a statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Iraq, regarding the failure to provide a fair trial for the Badinan journalists, expressing their resentment about political pressures on the courts in the Kurdistan Region.

 

According to the statement, the European Union Delegation and the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States in Iraq wish to recall their previous statement on the matter of 10 May 2021. They share the serious concerns expressed by UNAMI/OHCHR in their joint report of 12 May that basic fair trial standards have not been respected during the hearings.

 

"The concerns notably included allegations of torture, the lack of access to the case file by the defence as well as political pressure around the cases," the statement added.

 

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, "UNAMI", earlier described the decision of the Court of Cassation in the Kurdistan Region against journalists and activists as an "unfortunate" decision, saying "the decision of the Court of Cassation in the Kurdistan Region asserts the urgent need for judicial and institutional reform in the Kurdistan Region to prevent such failures in the juridical system in the future."

 

On Sunday, June 27, 2021, the Court of Cassation in the Kurdistan Region refused to consider the appeal submitted against a 6-year prison sentence issued against journalists and activists, in a case that resulted in condemnations locally and by foreign countries and international organizations.

 

The refusal of the Court of Cassation to consider the appeal means that the ruling is final and can only be revoked with a presidential pardon from the President of the Kurdistan Region.

 

On February 16, 2021, the Criminal Court in Erbil sentenced the Badinan detainees, Ayas Akram, Sherwan Sherwani, Shvan Saeed, Guhdar Mohammed and Hariwan Issa, to six years in prison, and the verdict sparked outrage and condemnation from local and international cultural circles and human rights organizations.

 

On 28 April, the Kurdistan Region's Court of Appeal in Erbil upheld the six-year prison sentence against Badinan activists and journalists Sherwan Sherwani, Guhdar Zebari, Hariwan Issa, Ayaz Karam, and Shvan Saeed. 

 

In its ruling, the court rejected the defendants’ claims of torture and other ill-treatment, citing lack of evidence, while confirming the charges brought against the five activists and journalists include receiving money from the consulates of the USA and Germany, sending sensitive information to foreign entities and cooperating with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). 

 

The court's decision straight away resulted in condemnations locally and by foreign countries and international organizations. The US, Germany, France, UK, and Canada condemned the decision of the court regarding the imprisonment of journalists and activists in Duhok. 

 

Furthermore, International organizations, such as CPJ and International Organization of Freedom and Human Rights, and Amnesty International that advocate journalists' rights and freedom of expression also condemned the court's decision.

 

 

 

PUKmedia