Iraqi-Kurds Protest against New Demonstration Law

TEHRAN, Jan 9 (ICANA) – Protests have been staged across the Iraqi Kurdistan region, by those objecting to a new law on holding demonstrations.

Under the new law passed late last year, permission has to be obtained from the regional government for any planned demonstration or protest. Local officials argue that the law is necessary to protect the region's stability. At first the protests against the law were restricted to cities and towns outside the capital Arbil, where the power of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party called KDP of President Massoud Barzani is strongest. But opposition to the new law grew and a major protest has been held in the capital. We interviewed the leader of the region-wide protest campaign. Officials have been quick to assure the public that their only concern is security, and that they are not looking to quell legitimate free expression. Meanwhile, two academics who published an article in an Iraqi Kurdish newspaper detailing, and criticizing the contents of a speech given by President Mesud Barzani to a closed session of parliament, were sued by the ruling KDP. Demonstrations were quickly planned in protest, with support from the major international NGO Reporters without Borders, until Friday when President Massoud Barzani backed down and dropped the lawsuit. This recent furor can be seen as a part of the ongoing split between the government and opposition movements. With the war of words set to continue unabated in the region's media prospects for reconciliation at this stage seem to be dim
  • نویسنده : یزد فردا
  • منبع خبر : خبرگزاری فردا