Violations against journalists in Iraqi Kurdistan drop in 2024, but concerns remain: watchdog
By: TII team
Date: January 19, 2025
The Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights, Sulaimani city, Iraqi Kurdistan, January 18, 2025. Photo: VOA-Kurdish
SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— The Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights said on Saturday that violations against press freedom in Iraqi Kurdistan Region decreased significantly in 2024.
Released during a January 18 press conference in Sulaymaniyah, the findings reveal a 22% decrease in incidents compared to 2023. Despite this improvement, questions remain about the broader state of journalism in the region.
The report, titled “The Law is Not for Archive, Our Laws Have Changed, but Their Implementation is Still a Stone,” detailed 182 violations against 176 journalists and media organizations last year, down from 231 in 2023. The data includes incidents such as harassment, physical assaults, and other restrictions on journalistic activities. While regional authorities attribute the decline to improved awareness and cooperation between security agencies and journalists, some in the media believe the numbers don’t tell the full story.
Aqid Salam Abdulkhaliq, director of the Kurdistan Region’s security agency, praised the reduction in violations as a significant achievement. “This progress reflects the dedication of our security forces to fostering a better environment for media professionals,” Abdulkhaliq said in a statement.
“In 2024, we worked closely with journalists, holding workshops and seminars to address their concerns and enhance mutual understanding. These efforts will continue in 2025 with plans to create a dedicated communication channel for resolving issues more efficiently.”
However, journalists like Shwan Mohammed caution against relying solely on statistics to evaluate press freedom. “The decrease in numbers doesn’t necessarily mean the media landscape has improved,” Mohammed said. “There are deeper issues at play, including unresolved cases of violence against journalists and a legal framework that often conflicts with the realities on the ground.”
The Metro Center’s findings also highlighted persistent dangers for journalists in the region. Last year, three journalists lost their lives, while December saw the highest number of incidents, with 40 reported cases. Among the recorded violations were 24 detentions without legal orders, 17 instances of confiscated materials, 6 cyberattacks, and 2 cases of damaged equipment. Harassment made up a significant portion, with 103 cases documented, affecting both male and female journalists. Women represented 10% of those targeted.
The report underscores the complex relationship between Kurdish authorities and the media. While there are efforts to support press freedom, unresolved cases of violence against journalists and a lack of accountability for perpetrators remain significant concerns. “We cannot overlook the sacrifices made by journalists in recent years,” Mohammed added. “Many have lost their lives, and their cases are still unresolved. That reality casts a shadow over any claims of progress.”
As Iraqi Kurdistan looks to 2025, media advocates are calling for more meaningful action to protect journalists and ensure accountability. While the drop in violations is a positive sign, they say it must be accompanied by systemic reforms to ensure a genuinely free and secure press environment.
Copyright © 2025 The Insight International. All rights reserved
SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— The Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights said on Saturday that violations against press freedom in Iraqi Kurdistan Region decreased significantly in 2024.
Released during a January 18 press conference in Sulaymaniyah, the findings reveal a 22% decrease in incidents compared to 2023. Despite this improvement, questions remain about the broader state of journalism in the region.
The report, titled “The Law is Not for Archive, Our Laws Have Changed, but Their Implementation is Still a Stone,” detailed 182 violations against 176 journalists and media organizations last year, down from 231 in 2023. The data includes incidents such as harassment, physical assaults, and other restrictions on journalistic activities. While regional authorities attribute the decline to improved awareness and cooperation between security agencies and journalists, some in the media believe the numbers don’t tell the full story.
Aqid Salam Abdulkhaliq, director of the Kurdistan Region’s security agency, praised the reduction in violations as a significant achievement. “This progress reflects the dedication of our security forces to fostering a better environment for media professionals,” Abdulkhaliq said in a statement.
“In 2024, we worked closely with journalists, holding workshops and seminars to address their concerns and enhance mutual understanding. These efforts will continue in 2025 with plans to create a dedicated communication channel for resolving issues more efficiently.”
However, journalists like Shwan Mohammed caution against relying solely on statistics to evaluate press freedom. “The decrease in numbers doesn’t necessarily mean the media landscape has improved,” Mohammed said. “There are deeper issues at play, including unresolved cases of violence against journalists and a legal framework that often conflicts with the realities on the ground.”
The Metro Center’s findings also highlighted persistent dangers for journalists in the region. Last year, three journalists lost their lives, while December saw the highest number of incidents, with 40 reported cases. Among the recorded violations were 24 detentions without legal orders, 17 instances of confiscated materials, 6 cyberattacks, and 2 cases of damaged equipment. Harassment made up a significant portion, with 103 cases documented, affecting both male and female journalists. Women represented 10% of those targeted.
The report underscores the complex relationship between Kurdish authorities and the media. While there are efforts to support press freedom, unresolved cases of violence against journalists and a lack of accountability for perpetrators remain significant concerns. “We cannot overlook the sacrifices made by journalists in recent years,” Mohammed added. “Many have lost their lives, and their cases are still unresolved. That reality casts a shadow over any claims of progress.”
As Iraqi Kurdistan looks to 2025, media advocates are calling for more meaningful action to protect journalists and ensure accountability. While the drop in violations is a positive sign, they say it must be accompanied by systemic reforms to ensure a genuinely free and secure press environment.
Copyright © 2025 The Insight International. All rights reserved
KRG lacks leverage against Baghdad, says politician Dr. Mahmoud Othman
By: TII team
Date: January 18, 2025
Iraqi Kurdish political figure Dr. Mahmoud Othman, 2022. Photo: Screenshot/Kurdistan24 TV
HEWLÊR-Erbil,— The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has escalated its rhetoric against Baghdad over unresolved disputes, but experts and politicians suggest the Kurdish Region lacks significant leverage to influence the Iraqi government.
Dr. Mahmoud Othman, a seasoned politician and former Iraqi Parliament member, told Voice of America VOA-Kurdish that the ongoing disagreements between Erbil and Baghdad remain deadlocked.
“Both sides blame each other, and there is no mediator to clarify the issues. Baghdad and the Shia factions appear unwilling to resolve these matters, operating with full authority to prioritize their interests over those of the Kurds and Sunnis,” Othman said.
He added that despite KRG threats of taking a strong stance, the region’s internal disunity undermines its position. “Baghdad knows the Kurdistan Region has no substantial card to play, which is why it disregards its warnings,” he noted.
On January 11, 2025, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani held an informal meeting with Kurdish representatives in the Iraqi Parliament and government to discuss the region’s financial rights and entitlements.
Iraq’s Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani visited Baghdad on January 13 to meet with Iraq’s top officials. The discussions aimed to address several unresolved issues, including the alleged withholding of salaries owed to the Kurdish region by the federal government.
The meeting coincided with accusations from the KRG that Baghdad is withholding the region’s financial rights, prompting threats of stronger actions.
Shwan Mohammed, a Kurdish parliamentarian from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), told VOA-Kurdish that the disputes place considerable strain on the Iraqi government. “We are a federal region with land, a government, a parliament, and forces in Baghdad. Any strong stance from us would create serious challenges for Iraq,” he said.
Mohammed revealed that Kurdish lawmakers recently gathered to discuss boycotting parliamentary sessions in protest. He emphasized that the international community must pressure Baghdad to ensure fairness, particularly regarding unpaid salaries, adding, “The numbers prove our claims, contrary to the accusations leveled at the KRG.”
However, internal divisions within the KRG have weakened its position. Parties like the Kurdistan Islamic Union, the New Generation Movement, and the Kurdistan Justice Group boycotted Barzani’s meeting.
Dara Sikaniani, a parliamentarian from the Kurdistan Islamic Union, argued that dialogue is the only viable solution. “Many countries and embassies advise resolving these issues through negotiation. Aggressive rhetoric without actionable plans only harms the people of the Kurdistan Region,” he said.
Meanwhile, analysts point out that financial disputes remain a core issue. Dr. Salam Zubeidi, associated with the Nasr Alliance, told VOA that the problems are rooted in technical disagreements rather than political ones. “These issues stem from past administrations. Meetings between senior officials offer hope for progress,” he explained.
As of January 2025, the KRG has yet to pay December salaries, further straining ties with Baghdad.
But on January 12, 2025, Iraq’s Finance Minister, Taif Sami, announced that full funding for the salaries of employees in the Kurdistan Region for 2024, including December, had been sent.
“The ministry is not responsible for the non-disbursement of these funds to eligible employees,” Sami said in a statement.
She further criticized the authorities in Erbil for failing to transfer the region’s oil and non-oil revenues to Baghdad. “This failure has disrupted the funding process for other provinces across the country,” she added.
(Credit: VOA | Agencies)
Copyright © 2025 The Insight International. All rights reserved
HEWLÊR-Erbil,— The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has escalated its rhetoric against Baghdad over unresolved disputes, but experts and politicians suggest the Kurdish Region lacks significant leverage to influence the Iraqi government.
Dr. Mahmoud Othman, a seasoned politician and former Iraqi Parliament member, told Voice of America VOA-Kurdish that the ongoing disagreements between Erbil and Baghdad remain deadlocked.
“Both sides blame each other, and there is no mediator to clarify the issues. Baghdad and the Shia factions appear unwilling to resolve these matters, operating with full authority to prioritize their interests over those of the Kurds and Sunnis,” Othman said.
He added that despite KRG threats of taking a strong stance, the region’s internal disunity undermines its position. “Baghdad knows the Kurdistan Region has no substantial card to play, which is why it disregards its warnings,” he noted.
On January 11, 2025, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani held an informal meeting with Kurdish representatives in the Iraqi Parliament and government to discuss the region’s financial rights and entitlements.
Iraq’s Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani visited Baghdad on January 13 to meet with Iraq’s top officials. The discussions aimed to address several unresolved issues, including the alleged withholding of salaries owed to the Kurdish region by the federal government.
The meeting coincided with accusations from the KRG that Baghdad is withholding the region’s financial rights, prompting threats of stronger actions.
Shwan Mohammed, a Kurdish parliamentarian from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), told VOA-Kurdish that the disputes place considerable strain on the Iraqi government. “We are a federal region with land, a government, a parliament, and forces in Baghdad. Any strong stance from us would create serious challenges for Iraq,” he said.
Mohammed revealed that Kurdish lawmakers recently gathered to discuss boycotting parliamentary sessions in protest. He emphasized that the international community must pressure Baghdad to ensure fairness, particularly regarding unpaid salaries, adding, “The numbers prove our claims, contrary to the accusations leveled at the KRG.”
However, internal divisions within the KRG have weakened its position. Parties like the Kurdistan Islamic Union, the New Generation Movement, and the Kurdistan Justice Group boycotted Barzani’s meeting.
Dara Sikaniani, a parliamentarian from the Kurdistan Islamic Union, argued that dialogue is the only viable solution. “Many countries and embassies advise resolving these issues through negotiation. Aggressive rhetoric without actionable plans only harms the people of the Kurdistan Region,” he said.
Meanwhile, analysts point out that financial disputes remain a core issue. Dr. Salam Zubeidi, associated with the Nasr Alliance, told VOA that the problems are rooted in technical disagreements rather than political ones. “These issues stem from past administrations. Meetings between senior officials offer hope for progress,” he explained.
As of January 2025, the KRG has yet to pay December salaries, further straining ties with Baghdad.
But on January 12, 2025, Iraq’s Finance Minister, Taif Sami, announced that full funding for the salaries of employees in the Kurdistan Region for 2024, including December, had been sent.
“The ministry is not responsible for the non-disbursement of these funds to eligible employees,” Sami said in a statement.
She further criticized the authorities in Erbil for failing to transfer the region’s oil and non-oil revenues to Baghdad. “This failure has disrupted the funding process for other provinces across the country,” she added.
(Credit: VOA | Agencies)
Copyright © 2025 The Insight International. All rights reserved
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