CPTnet
21 December 2007
IRAQ ACTION ALERT: Kurdish legislators approve censorship law; independent
journalists ask for help from the international community

BACKGROUND:

On 6 December 2007, the Kurdish Parliament passed a censorship law that
endangers freedom of speech. Independent journalists describe the edict as
a major step backwards in creating a democratic society. The editor of the
independent newspaper, Awena, said "This new law will send journalists to
prison, ban newspapers and allow for outrageous fines under various
pretexts."

At a 14 December 2007 demonstration, one Member of Parliament who voted
against its passage said, "This law means silencing people, journalists, and
intellectuals who usually criticize the government and its mistakes." Under
the law, journalists can be prosecuted in counterterrorism courts that can
impose life sentences if the journalists are convicted. Currently, a
correspondent for the Hawlati newspaper faces prison if he writes anything
that is considered in violation of the law within his next three years of
probation.

In 2007, journalists who criticized party leaders faced a spate of assaults,
jailings, and threats. The Committee for the Protection of Journalists, an
independent organization based in New York, came to investigate and when
they learned about the censorship bill, they denounced it, calling it
"incompatible with the kind of democratic society which Kurdish officials
have publicly embraced."

In order for the law to be finalized, it must be signed by Kurdish president
Massoud Barzani. The independent journalists are asking the international
community for the following action:

1. Send an email to President Massoud Barzani asking that he veto the new
law: EMAIL ADDRESS: fuadhussein [at] gmail [dot] com?Subject=Re:%20IRAQ%20ACTION%20ALERT:%20Kurdish%20legislators%20approve%20censorship%20law;%20independent%20journalists%20ask%20for%20help%20from%20the%20international%20community&In-Reply-To=<1198267615@mennolink>

2. Call or email:

Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in U.S.
1801 P St NW Washington DC 20036 Tel: (202) 483-7500 Fax: (202) 462-5066;
(202) 462-0564 Email: helmanan [at] iraqiembassy [dot] org?Subject=Re:%20IRAQ%20ACTION%20ALERT:%20Kurdish%20legislators%20approve%20censorship%20law;%20independent%20journalists%20ask%20for%20help%20from%20the%20international%20community&In-Reply-To=<1198267615@mennolink>

Embassy of Iraq in Canada
215 McLeod Street Ottawa, ON K2P0Z8 Phone:613-236-9177 (9178) Fax:
613-236-9641
Email: media [at] iraqembassy [dot] com?Subject=Re:%20IRAQ%20ACTION%20ALERT:%20Kurdish%20legislators%20approve%20censorship%20law;%20independent%20journalists%20ask%20for%20help%20from%20the%20international%20community&In-Reply-To=<1198267615@mennolink>

Iraq Embassy, United Kingdom
169 Knightsbridge London SW7 1DW Phone: +44 207 602-8456 Fax: +44 207 371
1652 Email: lonemb [at] iraqmofamail [dot] net?Subject=Re:%20IRAQ%20ACTION%20ALERT:%20Kurdish%20legislators%20approve%20censorship%20law;%20independent%20journalists%20ask%20for%20help%20from%20the%20international%20community&In-Reply-To=<1198267615@mennolink>