A number of Badinan detainees (NRT Digital Media/File)
PM:02:06:19/09/2021
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SULAIMANI — The Committee of Rights and Freedoms in
Kurdistan and Europe said on Saturday (September 18) that the ongoing hunger
strike by detainees arrested last year in Duhok and Erbil governorates has
reached a "dangerous phase.”
At least 81 imprisoned journalists, activists, and ordinary
citizens have been on hunger strike at Erbil General Asayish Prison since
September 6, according to multiple sources and human rights watchdogs.
The committee said that the detainees have been on hunger
strike for twelve days under the slogan "either death or rights and freedom.”
The committee said that the health of journalist Ayaz Karam,
who was sentenced to six years in prison during a controversial trial in
February along with two other journalists and two activists, was of particular
concern, saying that he had lost consciousness and was allegedly not receiving medical
treatment.
The watchdog called on the local and foreign organizations,
politicians, and foreign representatives in the Kurdistan Region to help the
detainees.
Following protests in Duhok last year against the Kurdistan
Regional Government’s (KRG) economic policies, the local security forces, which
are affiliated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), arrested dozens of
people in a widespread crackdown to suppress expressions of dissent.
On August 7, defense lawyers said that the detainees weresubjected to torture at the Asayish-run prison and were put under intense
pressure by the authorities.
The Asayish in Erbil and Duhok are affiliated with the KDP.
Foreign and local watchdogs have expressed alarm about the
deterioration of freedom of the press and expression in the Kurdistan Region
since Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, who is a senior KDP official, took office
in July 2019.
(NRT Digital Media)