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28/2/11
Group of
the progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats in
the European Parliament
Dear/Sir/Madam
I am
writing from the International Federation of Iraqi
Refugees regarding your support against the kidnapping
and killing of demonstrators for freedom in Iraqi
Kurdistan.
As you may
know the masses of Kurdistan has begun a movement for
freedom, justice, jobs and services, and against
political corruption. They have started with civil
demonstrations against the authorities of Kurdistan
Regional Government and the two ruling parties, the KDP
and the PUK.
While the
regime is publicly saying it will make concessions, at
the same time they are repressing against the
demonstrators. In the demonstration of 17th
February the militias of the KDP party shot the
demonstrators and killed 3 people and wounded many
others. The people of Kurdistan, and especially
Sulaimanyah city, would not accept such a despotic act
and started daily demonstrations.
In response
the KDP and PUK forces and the Asaiysh (security forces)
of both the ruling parties have arrested and abducted
those who are active in arranging mass rallies and
demonstrations. See for example
http://www.kurdmedia.com/article.aspx?id=16645 and
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011218104510878522.html
After the
big demonstration in Maidani Azadi (Freedom Square) on
25th February, many prominent activists were
kidnapped. Since then some have been released but Nawzad
Baban (kidnapped by the PUK), Dr Peshtwan Abdulla,
Sherzad Abo Bake, Khalid and Ismail Akoy (kidnapped by
the KDP), all famous and prominent critics of the
regime, and approximately ten others remains missing and
no information is known about where they are or what is
being done to them.
Abduction
and arresting people is a model carried out by the
authorities and other groups or militias to stop
democratic protest. Nawzad’s life is in danger, as are
the lives of the approximately 15 other activists who
have been kidnapped in Sulaimanyah and other cities.
We ask you
to take urgent action to find and release Nawzad, and
all the other people who have been kidnapped since
February 17th, as well as requesting the
government respects people in Kurdistan’s right to
demonstrate.
As you know
the demonstrations in Kurdistan and Iraq has received
very little coverage in the British media. We feel that
your support would increase the pressure on the ruling
parties to respect the rights of protestors.
Please
contact us with any questions at this e mail address or
on 07856032991
Best
regards
Dashty
Jamal
Secretary, IFIR
International Federation of Iraqi Refugees-IFIR
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