Badinan Detainees' Representative: Journalists Cannot Be Represented By Lawyers, But Terrorists Can

Reports 09:37 AM - 2024-07-31

Journalists in prison

The sentencing of journalist Sulaiman Ahmed by the Duhok court has sparked a surge in complaints, with numerous local and international organisations expressing their opposition to the decision in the last 3 days. The representative of prisoners in Badinan asserts that journalists in Erbil and Duhok are being subjected to punishment and imprisonment under different pretexts and legal provisions. Terrorists are afforded the right to legal representation for their defence, whereas journalists are denied the same right.

 

Journalists face Iraqi Penal Code penalties

Regarding the punishment imposed on journalist Sulaiman Ahmed, Ayhan Saeed, the representative for Badinan detainees, informed PUKMEDIA: "Terrorists in Erbil and Duhok are granted the right to legal representation, whereas journalists, like Sulaiman Ahmed, are denied this privilege. Ahmad has been deprived of legal counsel for the past nine months."

The representative of the prisoners in Badinan stated: "Journalists in Erbil and Duhok are being arrested for publishing their writings and work. However, they are being prosecuted under Article 156 of the 1969 Iraqi Penal Code, which has not been enforced in Iraq for a long time. The Kurdistan Region courts should have implemented Journalism Law No. 35 of 2007."

He also stated: "International reports on press freedom in the Kurdistan Region indicate a consistent decline in press freedom, particularly in Erbil and Duhok, as observed annually. The impact on the overall reputation of the Kurdistan Region is evident, but it is apparent that the Region's authorities are indifferent about the Region's reputation."

 

Metro Centre: The penalty should be nullified

In a statement, the Metro Centre declared that the verdict issued by the Duhok court against journalist Sulaiman Ahmed is unjust and fails to meet the requirements of a fair trial. Metro Centre called for the verdict to be nullified.

"The use of courts as a means of exerting pressure and seeking revenge against journalists and advocates of freedom is inappropriate." A just and impartial trial should be conducted in matters involving freedom of the press and expression," the statement added.

The statement emphasised the imperative of only utilising Law No. 35 of 2007 on Journalism for situations of publication without invoking any other legislation under any circumstances.

 

CPJ demands the immediate release Sulaiman Ahmed

Yeganeh Rezaian, the Interim MENA Program Coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), has urged the authorities in the Kurdistan Region to release journalist Sulaiman Ahmed because the authorities in the Kurdistan Region are unfairly isolating journalists who are simply doing their job.

Rezaian stated that the allegations against Sulaiman Ahmed were merely a vindictive tactic, as the court lacks any proof to justify its punishment. Furthermore, Rezaian criticised the unfairness of the entire legal procedure.

 

 

PUKMEDIA