Prayers for Peacemakers, 1 September 2017
Prayer
for members of Iraqi Kurdistan’s civil society whose lives are in danger
for voicing their opposition to the approaching referendum on
independence, and for the safety of the Iraqi Kurdistan team in their work.
Ruling parties of Iraqi Kurdistan prepare the people of the region and of the world for an unprecedented referendum vote on independence of this part of Kurdistan to take place on 25 September. Many who support the Kurdish peoples’ century-long struggle for self-determination cherish this historic event. For obvious reasons, Iraq alongside Kurdistan’s oppressive neighbors and the USA oppose this political move. However, based on radically different grounds, also many Iraqi Kurds themselves declare: “No for now!”
“No for now” is a movement that a broad group of parliament members, business people, journalists, religious leaders and members of Iraqi Kurdistan’s civil society started. They want independence but not on the current terms as dictated by the today’s ruling parties. They ask for an open and direct democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights and freedom of expression. Iraqi Kurdistan’s security forces have used threats, abductions, beatings and other forms of violence to silence them. CPT in Iraqi Kurdistan accompanies some of the members of “No for now” campaign. This week the team published a report about these abuses against freedom to voice publicly one’s concerns and opinions.
Please pray for Sherwan Sherwani, a journalist and human rights defender, Farhad Sangawi, a member of Parliament and journalist, Mullah Saman, religious leader and advocate for women rights in Iraqi Kurdistan, and all others who those with weapons attempt to silence. Please pray for the safety of the Iraqi Kurdistan team as they amplify voices and accompany those who speak against this oppression. Please remember in our prayers all those who do not keep silent in the face of tyranny and violence. Let them inspire and encourage us to follow their example.
Please, read and share the newest CPT Iraqi Kurdistan report.
Photo: Sherwan Sherwani, journalist and human rights defender (left) and Farhad Sangawi, journalist and a member of Parliament (right), threatened for their involvement in “No for now!” campaign.
