The Coalition for the Defense of Freedom of Expression, sponsored by the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights, strongly condemns the systematic repression exercised by the authorities of the Kurdistan Region against protesting teachers and employees in Sulaymaniyah.
It also vehemently denounces the violent assaults and the demonization of the peaceful movement, which is advocating for legitimate rights related to salaries and the deteriorating living conditions.
The crackdown on protesters—including excessive use of force, tear gas, and arrests—reflects a dangerous authoritarian approach aimed at silencing voices and intimidating citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest. Such repressive behavior is unworthy of an authority that claims to respect rights and freedoms. Instead, it solidifies the image of a regime that responds to just demands with force rather than with serious solutions.
The ongoing campaign of incitement and defamation against protesters—framing them in a way that undermines the legitimacy of their demands—is part of a deliberate strategy to criminalize the popular movement and justify repression. We affirm that such tactics will only deepen the crisis and widen the gap between citizens and authorities.
The Coalition for the Defense of Freedom of Expression calls on the Kurdistan Regional Government to immediately halt all forms of violence against protesters, release all detainees, and ensure a safe environment for the exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration.
We warn that further escalation in repressing voices will lead to disastrous consequences. We emphasize that freedom of expression and human rights are not privileges granted by the authorities, but fundamental rights that cannot be compromised under any circumstances.
About AEFI:
AEFI is an entity sponsored by the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights (IOHR), comprising non-governmental organizations, unions, activists, politicians, parliament members, and social movements. Its primary objective is to protect the freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Iraqi Constitution and prevent any attempts to undermine it.
