Protests in Erbil: Teachers, Employees & Journalists Face Violations

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Security forces attack demonstrators in Degala.

On Sunday, 9 February 2025, a large group of teachers and employees set out from Sulaymaniyah to Erbil to present their demands to the Kurdistan Regional Government. Their key requests included the timely distribution of salaries, nationalisation, and the resumption of promotions. However, at the Degala checkpoint near Erbil, they were stopped by security forces who dispersed the group with tear gas and gunfire. 

In addition to the crackdown on protesters, 31 journalists and media outlets were also subjected to violations. Hozan Qadir, Head of the Reporters' Organisation for Rights and Development (RORD), expressed his concern in an interview with PUKMEDIA: "Numerous violations were committed against media outlets and journalists during the protests, particularly at the Degala checkpoint. These actions are deeply concerning to us."

Qadir urged both security forces and political parties to ensure that journalists are kept out of conflicts and are allowed to cover events freely without fear of violation. 

The protests also saw several media outlets targeted. According to RORD, violations occurred against 9 media organisations and 22 journalists, with 9 of them suffering injuries from tear gas. Additionally, a security force in plain clothes, operating under the Asayish name, raided the KNN satellite office in Erbil, confiscating journalistic equipment, mobile phones, and personal belongings.

In a further escalation, security forces stopped 4 media teams from returning to Erbil after covering the events in Degala. The Politic Press team was also detained by Asayish forces while conducting a press interview in Erbil. As of the latest reports, they remain in custody.



PUKMEDIA