|
Mass arrests and crackdown on
journalists in wake of protest over memorial to
victims of Saddam-era crime.
Demonstrators who last week torched a monument to
the victims of a gas attack on Halabja could face
the death penalty if convicted, according to a judge
investigating the incident.
The monument was set ablaze on March 16 when 2,000
locals - mostly young men - staged street protests
to prevent officials getting into Halabja to take
part in ceremonies to mark the anniversary of the
1988 attack by Saddam Hussein’s military, in which
5,000 people died.
Locals said they mounted the demonstration because
of anger at what they said was cynical exploitation
of their plight by local politicians.
Investigative judge Karwan Wrya Ali said that under
a Baathist-era law adopted by the Iraqi Kurdistan
government, the punishment for destroying government
property is life in prison or death by hanging.
"Anyone convicted of setting the monument on fire
will be executed," he said.
He also said that demonstrators would be held
responsible for the death of a 17-year-old boy,
Kurda Ahmed, who, witnesses reported, was shot by
security forces during the protest.
It’s unclear, however, just how much weight the
judge’s views carry. He will not oversee the trial
of the protesters - which will take place in
Sulaimaniyah's criminal court, and Emad Ahmed,
deputy prime minister for the Kurdish regional
government's Sulaimaniyah administration which
governs Halabja, has played down the prospect of
death sentences being delivered, "I don't think
those convicted will be executed if the charges are
proven."
So far, Iraqi president Jalal Talabani and Kurdistan
regional president Masood Barzani have declined to
comment on last week’s incident.
Officials from Halabja, who had rolled out red
carpets for anniversary of the tragedy, had earlier
been warned that locals were planning a peaceful
sit-down action designed to embarrass the visiting
dignitaries and block their access.
But a build-up of security forces in the town
suggested the authorities were determined to ensure
everything went according to plan.
International delegates from Hiroshima and Italy
visited the memorial on March 15. The following day,
ceremonies to mark the anniversary were called off
after three hours of unrest during which
demonstrators burnt tires, rolled rocks into the
road or lay down there themselves to prevent
officials driving into the town.
The incident is the latest of several youth-driven
actions challenging the government. Officials have
accused Islamists of being behind the 2,000-strong
demonstration, but appear to have acknowledged
locals’ grievances. Following the disturbance, they
pledged 30 million US dollars in 2006 to develop
water, roads and housing in Halabja.
Organisers claim the demonstration was a people's
movement that drew residents of all political
affiliations - including members of the Patriotic
Union of Kurdistan, the party that dominates
Sulaimaniyah's government.
Halabja has been eerily quiet as Kurdish authorities
chase down suspects and raid houses. A four-year-old
boy, Mohammed Karim, was shot last week as security
forces pursued and fired at a 53-year-old man. Both
are being treated in a Sulaimaniyah hospital.
A security source, speaking on condition of
anonymity, said authorities have arrested about 80
people. Kurdish regional government spokesman Jamal
Abdullah said 40 to 45 remain in custody, suspected
of setting the monument on fire and inciting
violence. Local human rights groups have not been
allowed to see the detainees.
All of the demonstration's organisers are now in
hiding. "I'm afraid of being arrested and tortured
to confess things I haven't done," said one who
asked not to be named. He said eight protest
organisers will meet with Emad Ahmed to try to
convince him that they did not sanction the attack
on the monument, "What happened was a reaction to
the security forces opening fire on demonstrators."
At least seven journalists were beaten during the
demonstration and others had their cameras and
recorders seized. The authorities have demanded that
local reporters cooperate with the investigation by
turning over any footage, photos and notes taken at
the protest. The Kurdistan Journalists' Syndicate,
widely seen as an arm of the government, is
supporting that demand.
Iraqi Kurdistan's leading independent newspaper,
Hawlati, has refused to cooperate. "Journalists have
the right not to give up their sources," said Twana
Osman, editor-in-chief. "The government is making
unethical and undemocratic demands of journalists."
A Hawlati journalist was arrested following the
protest after writing an opinion piece encouraging
Iraqi Kurds to flee the region because of oppression
by the local authorities. Hawez Hawezi has since
been released on bail but will be tried for inciting
an uprising.
Osman says his arrest is part of the larger
government crackdown. "This is a direct attempt to
suppress journalists and intellectuals who want to
criticise government," he said, adding the
strong-arm tactics would not work.
“[The crackdowns] will ultimately hurt the PUK
[party]," he said. "They will be forced to change
their policies."
Amanj Khalil is an IWPR trainee journalist in
Sulaimaniyah. Iraqi Crisis Report Kurdish editor
Mariwan Hama-Saeed contributed to this report.
www.iwpr.net
Top |
® 