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U.N. criticizes the Kurdistan authorities
26.4.2007 |
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Mahmoud Othman "Nobody said that the freedom in
Kurdistan is perfect, but it is better than other
areas of Iraq,"
April
26, 2007
BAGHDAD - The United Nations has rebuked
Kurdish authorities over their treatment of
journalists and detainees in a rare critical
assessment of the human rights situation in the
oil-rich northern autonomous Kurdistan region that
has been hailed as a success story in Iraq.
The U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq singled out
Kurdistan in its 10th human rights report on Iraq,
expressing concern over infringements on freedom of
expression by the regional government.
"Authorities continued to subject journalists to
harassment, arrest and legal actions for their
reporting on government corruption, poor public
services or other issues of public interest," the
report said.
The report, which was released Wednesday, also
criticized Kurdish security forces, saying hundreds
of detainees have been held for prolonged periods —
"some for several years" — without charge or due
process. The report added that the mission has
received allegations of the torture or ill-treatment
of detainees.
Fouad Mohammad, the regional human rights minister,
said the report exaggerated the violations and he
complained that he was not contacted about the
cases.
"There are limited cases of breaching human rights
and freedom of expression, but they are at a lesser
level than that depicted in the report," he said.
The mountainous Kurdish area has largely been spared
the violence and sectarian tensions plaguing the
rest of the country since the U.S.-led invasion in
2003. Former U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad picked
the area for his farewell tour, calling it a
"shining example" of the way Iraq should be.
The human rights report acknowledged the stable
security situation but noted abuses in other areas.
The report said most arrests of journalists were
carried out by a unit that has jurisdiction over
economic crimes such as smuggling, espionage and
terrorism.
As an example, it said Garmian Hamakhan, an Internet
journalist with the Kurdistan Online site, was
arrested Feb. 2 in Sulaimaniyah while covering a
demonstration of taxi drivers. Police detained him
for a day and destroyed his photographs before
releasing him, according to the report.
The report also expressed concern about the
situation of detainees in the area, saying the
majority had been arrested on suspicion of
involvement in terrorism and other serious crimes,
with many accused of being supporters of Islamist
groups.
"In some cases, detainees were arrested without
judicial warrant and all are routinely denied the
opportunity to challenge the lawfulness of their
detention," it said.
The Kurdish region has enjoyed self-rule since the
1991 Gulf War when the Kurds set up their autonomous
Kurdistan region under the protection of U.S. and
British warplanes.
Non-Kurdish Iraqi visitors face rigid security
regulations more suited to foreigners than citizens
of the same country — including a security interview
on arrival and registering with police when taking
up residence or finding employment.
Visitors traveling by road are stopped at three
checkpoints before entering Kurdistan.
Iraq's new constitution also recognized Kurdish
self-rule and provides a legal mechanism for other
areas to govern themselves but within the Iraqi
state.
A prominent Kurdish politician acknowledged
shortcomings and said efforts were being made to
improve them.
"Nobody said that the freedom in Kurdistan is
perfect, but it is better than other areas of Iraq,"
Mahmoud Othman said.
He said journalists were allowed to criticize
government officials but restrictions were aimed at
preventing slander.
"There are some shortcomings in Kurdistan regarding
freedom of expression, but the most important thing
is to work to improve the situation and learn
lessons on how to overcome these shortcomings," he
added.
AP
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