Iraqi Kurdistan Region Slammed For Violating Press Freedoms
A new report by Human Rights Watch has criticized the government in Kurdistan for what it calls “serious violations” of freedom of speech, as a draft law would make it illegal for journalists to insult politicians, reports Abdel Hamid Zebari.
In its most recent report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) demanded that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) stop arbitrarily detaining journalists, activists and political opposition figures. It also called for an end to the prosecution of journalists on charges of insulting or defaming public figures, and demanded that the KRG not restrict press freedoms.
HRW issued a report this February entitled "Iraqi Kurdistan: Free Speech Under Attack," which discusses the arbitrary detention and prosecution of journalists and others for criticizing the authorities in the region.
The report also noted that officials from the ministries of justice and religious affairs in the KRG were apparently attempting a flagrant violation of the rule of law, and wanted to impose a bill that criminalizes "insulting" political and religious leaders. This is despite the fact that the Legal Committee and the Human Rights Committee within the Iraqi Kurdistan parliament have refused the application of this law until now.
The Religious Endowments and Affairs Committee within the Iraqi Kurdistan parliament submitted a draft law to the parliament leadership regarding the protection of religious sanctities in the province. If approved, the law would prevent journalists and writers from addressing religious matters.
