On the anniversary of the assassination of Sardasht Osman, we call for the release of imprisoned journalists and the expansion of freedom of expression

Sixteen years ago, journalist Sardasht Osman was kidnapped in front of Salahaddin University in Erbil, and his body was later found dead on the road to Mosul. On the anniversary of his assassination, we commemorate his journalism, and pay our respects to his dignity. We hold in high regard his struggle to expand the horizons of freedom of expression and critical discourse.

At the same time, Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT) - Iraqi Kurdistan Team declares our commitment not to abandon the case of Sardasht Osman, and we pledge to be even more diligent in following up on the violations committed against his colleagues and fellow journalists in the provinces of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, and Halabja.

As we commemorate Osman, journalist Sherwan Sherwani has been in prison for nearly six years, convicted after an unjust verdict. It is still unclear whether further cases will be opened against him or if he will be released. 

Sherwani has been on a hunger strike for 15 days, demanding justice and protesting the lack of judicial independence in the Kurdistan Region. Because of the severity of his strike, his health is poor, and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) authorities must bear responsibility for protecting his life. 

Journalists in Sulaymaniyah governorate face further obstacles and hardships; they are arrested during times of tension and conflict, their media outlets are closed, and they are penalized. More than eight months have passed since the attack on Zoom News media. Their property was destroyed and their equipment has not yet been fully returned to them. Journalists are arrested by security agencies (Asaish) and interrogated without being informed of the reason for their detention, and they are abused. Many journalists and political activists are in the Kurdistan Region's prisons, facing various charges.

While we remember all killed, imprisoned, and tortured journalists, on the sixteenth anniversary of the assassination of Sardasht Osman, we call upon the Kurdistan Regional Government authorities to bring the perpetrators of the Sardasht case to justice. Journalist Sherwan Sherwani and other journalists and civil activists in prisons must be released, and freedom of expression must be respected.