SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The European Union in Iraq on Monday called on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to “fully” meet its human rights obligations and to guarantee the “full enjoyment” of freedom of expression and press freedom.
The EU delegation and the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States in Iraq issued a statement on press freedom and freedom of expression in the Kurdistan Region.
They expressed concerns about a decision of the court of cassation in Erbil to uphold convictions of five journalist and activists who were sentenced to prison.
“Freedom of expression and press freedom as well as the right to a fair trial are fundamental components of democratic societies, enabling transparent and accountable institutions and good governance,” they said.
“This ruling negatively impacts on the space for dissenting voices in the KRI as well as the ability of members of the press to report without fear of retaliation or arbitrary restrictions,” they added.
On Thursday, the court of cassation in Erbil upheld convictions of the journalists and activists, who were detained in Duhok province in October 2020 over allegedly undermining national security in the Region.
On February 16, Erbil criminal court-2 sentenced journalists Sherwan Sherwani, Guhdar Zebrai and Ayaz Karam as well as activists Shvan Omer and Hariwan Issa to six years each in jail on national security charges.
In its decision, the court of cassation alleged that the defendants “contacted the U.S. and German consulates and received money,” without giving further details.
It also alleged that “the defendants confessed that they had met with the German consul in one of the hotels in Erbil and they sent him [the consul] to Dora area twice, directed by the head of the group defendant Shirwan Amina Na’oo.”
The EU delegation and the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States in Iraq also expressed their concern about references made in the verdict to contacts between the accused and foreign embassies, including the German Consulate General in Erbil.
“Regular exchanges with civil society are an integral part of the work of diplomatic representations worldwide,” they said.
They called on the KRG to “fully meet its human rights obligations, including on the right to a fair trial and due process, and to guarantee the full enjoyment of freedom of expression and press freedom.”
In response to the allegation, the U.S. consulate general in Erbil said on Thursday that the United States expected the KRG to respect the work of its diplomats as it does so for the KRG representatives working in the U.S.
“We expect host governments all around the world to respect the work of U.S. diplomats, who—much like journalists—meet with a variety of people in order to do their jobs. We extend this same courtesy to foreign diplomats working in the United States, including to representatives of the KRG,” it told Esta Media Network.
Similarly, the German consulate general in Erbil said the court’s reference to its diplomats was absurd.
“Free exchanges with journalists & activists are part and parcel of diplomats’ daily work, also of @GermanyInKRI. The Court’s reference today is absurd & goes against the spirit of our close and friendly relations between Germany and #KRI,” it said in a tweet.
On Saturday, the French Consulate General in Erbil said the friendship that binds France to the Kurdish people is based on common values and shared principles including freedoms of the press and of expression.
“The Consulate General of France in Erbil looks with concern at the court’s decision on cases of five journalists and activists in the Kurdistan Region,” the consulate said in a statement.
“The Consulate General of France reminds that the friendship that binds us to the Kurdish people and the cooperation between France and the Kurdistan Region are based on shared value and principles, including freedom of the press, freedom of expression and demonstrations,” it added.
