Statement by the Freedom and Human Rights Organization on the Punishment of Civil Activists in the Kurdistan Region

An announcement from Freedom and Human Rights Organization Regarding the Erbil criminal court's decision on the case of Badinan activists, whom each was sentenced to six years in prison, we considered this announcement necessary:

1. The trial of activists and journalists, should be in accordance with the Kurdistan journalism law, or those related to civil protest, which in the most severe cases, the accused will be fined.

2. These activists should have been granted the right to defend themselves and allowing them to be seen and have meetings at the time of their detention.

3. Any court sentence must be supported by solid evidence, and the accused must prove the validity of the evidence, not to force it upon them.

4. We respect the independence of the court, but the court must judge on the same basis of independence and prevent falsely charging activists with spying and peace disruption with the absence of hard proof.

5. The Kurdistan Regional Court of reassessment, is up front of a legal, ethical and historical responsibility, and we demand for a thorough review of this case, the return of the rightful rights to those violated, to acknowledge the sovereignty of the law, to respect the freedom of the press and media and civil protest, as a valid rightful right, and to not let the court be mislead.

6. We emphasize on the unconcluded cases suspended by the courts in Kurdistan under political pressure, or that they have been closed for unknown reasons while being related to the murder of journalists, activists and threats against them.