Several journalists and writers from the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq have received death threats in recent days, despite a recent statement by U.S. General Petraeus saying that violence in Iraq is declining to almost "normal levels". One of the men, Souran 'Omar, was on a list of journalists at risk of being killed, apparently for criticizing the political parties in the region. Two others on the list, journalist Souran Mama Hama and academic 'Abd al-Sattar Taher Sharif, have been killed.
130 journalists have been killed and 51 have been kidnapped since the war in Iraq began five years ago. The victims are of many nationalities, but Iraqis are grossly over represented.
Journalists in the Kurdistan region of Iraq who criticize the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) are at particular risk. Journalists have been arbitrarily arrested and detained without trial, and sometimes tortured. Some have been abducted in the street and beaten by armed men wearing civilian clothes, and then released a few hours or days later.
This abuse of civilians needs to stop. Journalists are an invaluable group to the public who deserve justice and security.
Tell the KRG Minister of Human Rights to stop this abuse of human rights now -- and to uphold the right to freedom of expression in Iraq.
To: KRG Minister of Human Rights,
Dr. Yousif M. Aziz
Your Excellency,
We are deeply concerned about reports that a "death list" exists with names of journalists critical of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq.
We ask for the KRG authorities to take action and identify those responsible for creating the list and to bring them to justice.
We urge you to take all possible steps to ensure the safety of Souran 'Omar, Nehad Jami, Kusrat 'Abd al-Rahman and other journalists and writers named in the list and to uphold the right to freedom of expression, including the right to express criticism of the KRG.
We urge the KRG authorities to disclose the details of the investigation into the murders of journalist Souran Mama Hama and academic 'Abd al-Sattar Taher Sharif.
Journalists, or any other civilian for that matter, should not have to live in fear for speaking out. Please take action and work towards curbing these human rights violations.
[Your comments]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
