SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The United States on Friday said it continues to be “concerned” about the recent backsliding on press freedom in the Kurdistan Region.
“CG Stroh met with a group of journalists from various media outlets to learn about their reporting, priorities, and challenges faced by mass media and journalists,” the US Consulate General in Erbil said on X platform, formerly Twitter.
“We continue to be concerned about recent backsliding on press freedom, including arbitrary detention, warrantless device searches, and lack of implementation of the IKR Press Law and Access to Information Act,” it added.
The US has repeatedly raised the alarm about the situation of press freedom, as well as the human rights situation in the Kurdistan Region, expressing concerns regarding the government crackdown and restrictions on the press through its diplomatic channels.
“In some parts of Kurdistan we see an irritating backslide in rights of components and we are concerned,” said former U.S. Consul General Irvin Hicks JR in Erbil February this year. “If we want to be a real partner of the Kurdistan Region we must tell the truth”
“The U.S. believes that journalists must be able to be allowed and deliver the news without fear, intimidation, harassment, and vengeance.”
