20 atrocities cases against journalists in Kurdistan registered – report

ARBIL / IraqiNews.com: The Kurdistan Union of Journalists announced today that there are 20 cases of violation against the journalists registered in the region. In a bi-yearly report, the Union said that the atrocities were ranging from arrest, beating, and burning media headquarters. This the 8th bi-yearly for the second half of the year.The first half year report registered 257 violations due to the demonstrations witnessed in Sulaimaniya areas in February and March last. In a statement to IraqiNews.com, Azad Hamad Ameen, Chairman of Kurdistan Union of Journalists, elaborated that there were 20 different violations, including 5 cases of arrest, 9 beating cases, 3 attempts to burn media headquarters, 20 fine cases, 2 for closing court files and 1 threatening case against a journalist. He added that there are other cases, including 37 complaints against journalists. Amin pointed out that if Duhuk incidents did not happen, the figures of atrocities will be lesser. It is expected that Kurdistan Union of Journalists will meet to adopt new means for protecting journalists, with special jackets when covering demonstrations, in order to be known to security and police sources.