December
19, 2010
SULAIMANIYAH,
Kurdistan region 'Iraq', — Thousands of Iraqi
Kurds took to the streets of the northern region's
second city of Sulaimaniyah on Saturday to protest
against a recent law restricting the ability to
demonstrate.
The 90-minute peaceful protest -- which broke the
new law by not being authorised -- started in al-Shaab
Park (People's Park) in the city centre and
continued to nearby Hurriyeh Square (Freedom
Square).
"This law is a retreat from the path of democracy in
Kurdistan, and infringes on people's freedom to
express their opinions," said demonstrator Aram
Jamal, the head of the Kurdish Institute of
Elections, a privately funded watchdog.
"The law is an obstacle to democracy."
Around 100 police officers monitored the protest
which was attended by more than 2,000 people in the
city 270 kilometres (170 miles) north of Baghdad.
Despite the demonstration being unlawful because it
had not received prior approval, no arrests were
made because of the number of protesters.
The legislation was earlier passed by the ruling
Kurdistania slate, made up of regional president
Massoud Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party and
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's Patriotic Union of
Kurdistan,www.ekurd.netand
was signed into law by Barzani last week.
It was opposed in the regional parliament by
Kurdistan's smaller opposition parties, but as
Kurdistania holds around two-thirds of the seats in
the Kurdish parliament, the law still passed.
"This law is a violation of human rights," said
Karzan Abid, another demonstrator. "We need more
freedom in our lives, we need to be able to protest
to bring about political change."
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A demonstration in Sulaimaniyah city, Iraqi
Kurdistan, against the law of demonstrations. Photos: Awene.com
A demonstration in Sulaimaniyah city, Iraqi
Kurdistan, against the law of demonstrations.
Awene.com Photo |
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