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Urgent Action: Stop the Violence
Against Demonstrators in Kurdistan
19.04.2011
Demonstrations in Kurdistan are being violently
repressed by militia forces from the ruling parties.
Yesterday militia forces from the Patriotic Union of
Kurdistan (PUK) violently attacked demonstrators in
central Sulaymaniyah. Shots were fired into the crowd in
‘Freedom Square’. Tear gas, stones, knives and batons
were used against the people. They then burnt
demonstrators’ tents. More than 100 people were injured,
some are believed to be in a critical condition. In
Erbil, students from Salahaddin University and others in
the centre of the capital were attacked by the other
ruling party the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
Opposition activists, journalists and students have also
been arrested, kidnapped and beaten.
The PUK and KDP have now mobilised their militia forces
which today continued to attack demonstrators in cities
across Kurdistan. After yesterday’s attack, students at
Sulimaniyah University attempted to demonstrate, but
armed groups stormed the university injuring many.
Since the start of the uprising 9 people have been
killed and hundreds injured. For more than 60 days
demonstrations have been taking place across Iraqi
Kurdistan. Inspired by the uprisings in Tunisia and
Egypt, people first came onto the streets of
Sulaymaniyah, the second biggest city in Iraqi
Kurdistan, on the 17th of February. They demanded
freedom, dignity, justice and basic services and an end
to political corruption.
The International Federation of Iraqi Refugees and the
Coalition to Stop Deportations to Iraq, condemns this
repression of demonstrations in Kurdistan. We demand
that the militia forces are withdrawn and that violence
against demonstrators stops. We call for the immediate
release of all those arrested or kidnapped for their
part in the demonstrations. Many of those injured by the
militia forces are unable to seek medical attention
without risking arrest at the hospitals. All those who
have been injured must be able to receive treatment
without fear. Finally, we support the demands of the
Freedom Square Committee for freedom, justice and an end
to political corruption.
These attacks demonstrate the violent and repressive
nature of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Despite this western governments and companies continue
to support the KRG. Governments across Europe continue
to forcibly deport people to the region.
The support people in Kurdistan really want from the
international community is from the people, not the
governments. We ask you to write to the Kurdistan
Regional Government’s offices in Europe and Erbil to
demand the killing and arresting of protestors stops
immediately, and those responsible for the shooting of
protestors, and those who ordered the shootings, are
brought to justice. In addition, we ask you to support
the demands of the protestors for an end to political
corruption, for decent work and public services such as
water and electricity, and for political freedom,
including freedom of assembly, speech and thought.
Contact:
Kurdistan Region Presidency
Post to: Kurdistan Region Presidency, Diwan, P.O. BOX
60, Iraqi Kurdistan, Erbil-Iraq
Fax to: 00964 66 223 5505
KRG office in London
Telephone: 00442071704307
Fax to: 00442071704301
We would be grateful if you could send us a copy or let
us know that you have sent to them. We feel that your
support would increase the pressure on the ruling
parties to respect the rights of protestors.
International Federation of Iraqi Refugees-IFIR
Coalition to Stop Deportations to Iraq- CSDIraq
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