UN Report Shines Light on ‘Deeply Worrying’ Pattern of Restrictions in Kurdistan

OCHA/Charlotte Cans. People pray in Erbil, the capital and most populated city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
OCHA/Charlotte Cans. People pray in Erbil, the capital and most populated city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
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UN Report Shines Light on ‘Deeply Worrying’ Pattern of Restrictions in Kurdistan

OCHA/Charlotte Cans. People pray in Erbil, the capital and most populated city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
OCHA/Charlotte Cans. People pray in Erbil, the capital and most populated city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Freedom of expression in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has been increasingly curtailed over the past year, according to a UN report issued Wednesday.

The report documents a concerning pattern, observed from March 2020 to April 2021.

“The pattern of repression documented in this report is deeply worrying," it read.

The report came a week after an appeals court upheld six-year jail sentences for five journalists and activists.

It said 33 journalists, activists, or human rights defenders had been arrested without being told why, denied access to lawyers or held without their families being informed.

Journalists Ayaz Karam, Kohidar Zebari, and Sherwan Sherwani, along with activists Shivan Saed and Harwian Issa, faced multiple charges including "inciting protests and destabilizing" Kurdistan, as well as "spying", and "misuse of electronic devices".

"These men were sentenced because of a biased political will," charged Belkis Wille, senior researcher at HRW.

Sherwani is known for his investigations into corruption and has criticized Kurdish premier Masrour Barzani on Facebook. On October 7, he was arrested for no legal justification and without a judiciary order.

“They had contacted the American consulate and German consulate and took money from them,” reads the appeal court’s ruling, which was made public last week.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Foreign Office has strongly refuted the court’s allegations.



Al-Hilal Coach: We’re Ready to Face Real Madrid Despite Limited Preparation Time

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to begin on June 15 will run until July 13. - SPA
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to begin on June 15 will run until July 13. - SPA
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Al-Hilal Coach: We’re Ready to Face Real Madrid Despite Limited Preparation Time

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to begin on June 15 will run until July 13. - SPA
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to begin on June 15 will run until July 13. - SPA

Al-Hilal’s head coach Simone Inzaghi stated that the team has prepared as thoroughly as possible despite the short time he has had in charge ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Speaking at a press conference in Miami, Inzaghi revealed the players have completed only four training sessions before facing the formidable Real Madrid, SPA reported.

"I’ve watched several matches in the tournament, and the competition is very strong. The teams are all on equal footing," Inzaghi said. "We will strive to give our best despite the limited time we have had to prepare."

He added, "The team will do everything in its power to advance as far as possible in the tournament."

Inzaghi also praised the warm welcome the staff and players received from fans upon their arrival in Miami.