PM:11:55:06/08/2022
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SULAIMANI — The Metro Center for
Journalists Rights and Advocacy released a statement on Saturday (August 6)
condemning violations against journalists, protestors and members of parliament
in connection with anti-government protests that began late this afternoon in
several cities across the Kurdistan Region.
Metro Center cited 21 arrests, four raids, five
injuries related to the use of tear gas and 23 incidents of the confiscation of
journalists’ equipment, as well as the closure of Rast News in Duhok.
The statement documented the arrests of a
number of reporters from various Kurdish news networks and the detention of
members of the New Generation Movement, as well as harassment of other members
of the media.
The events mainly occurred in Sulaimani province,
including the city of Sulaimani, Said Sadiq, Qaladze and Rania, but NRT
reporters were also arrested in Erbil and Duhok ahead of the protests on
Saturday.
The advocacy group’s statement said the
homes of some activists were searched and children’s iPads were confiscated.
Metro Center said the total number of arrests
was unknown as no official statement has come from the authorities and no order
from a court over the detentions has been revealed to the public.
The group has called for the release of those
detained and condemned the human rights violation against freedom of speech.
The President of the New Generation
Movement, Shaswar Abdulwahid, announced earlier this week that protests against
corruption and the mounting crises in the Kurdistan Region would begin on
Saturday in order to pressure authorities to take action.
(NRT Digital Media)