Joint Public Statement of Solidarity and Demand for Accountability Regarding the Assault on Civil Activist Shwan Sabir

This statement is issued by a diverse group of scholars, journalists, civil society actors, human rights defenders, and public commentators united in a shared commitment to democratic principles, human dignity, and the protection of fundamental freedoms. The impetus for this declaration is the recent violent assault against civil activist Mr. Shwan Sabir Gardi.

On 17 July 2025, during a peaceful and publicly announced gathering in the city of Erbil, Mr. Sabir was subjected to a violent and unlawful attack by unidentified individuals. The act, executed with brutality and in complete disregard for democratic norms, constitutes a direct assault not only on Mr. Sabir but also on the foundational values of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and civic participation.

This incident is emblematic of a broader and deeply troubling pattern of repression targeting civil activists, independent journalists, and human rights advocates within the Kurdistan Region. The recurrence of such attacks—often met with institutional silence or impunity—undermines public confidence in the rule of law and weakens the legitimacy of governing institutions. The continued failure to investigate and prosecute these violations fosters a dangerous and growing culture of unaccountability.

In response, the following demands are hereby put forth:

1. An immediate, impartial, and transparent investigation into the assault on Mr. Shwan Sabir must be conducted without delay.


2. The responsible authorities must take all necessary measures to identify and bring to justice those involved in the attack, ensuring that legal accountability is upheld and that future violations are deterred.


3. Should domestic authorities fail to act, this matter will be referred to international human rights mechanisms, including UN Special Rapporteurs and relevant diplomatic institutions.



Full solidarity is extended to Mr. Sabir and his family, with recognition of his courage and his longstanding contribution to the advancement of democratic values and civil liberties in the region.

This statement is made with the full support of the Dakok Support Centre, which unequivocally stands in defence of Mr. Sabir and all individuals whose rights and freedoms are under threat. A collective commitment is reaffirmed to the principles of justice, accountability, and the protection of civic space in the Kurdistan Region.

Endorsed by:

1. Adil Aziz – Former Member of Parliament


2. Hunar Omar Korey – Journalist & Civil Activist


3. Nazhad Osman saed – Academic & Critic


4. Mariwan Mohammed Rostam – Journalist


5. Diyar Herki – Journalist & Translator


6. Mohammed Osman – Activist & Commentator


7. Gona Ali Rashid – Civil Activist


8. Aram Rahim – Journalist


9. Mohammed Karim Saleh – Political Activist


10. Sarkar Khidir Qadir – Political Activist


11. Salar Wahid Sabir – Political Activist


12. Ari Hama Said – Political Activist


13. Ahmad Qaraman Samko – Political Activist


14. Mohammed Karwan – Political Activist


15. Chalak Ahmad Rashid – Political Analyst & Critic


16. Sarhang Salar Ahmad – Political Analyst & Critic


17. Ahmad Ali Rashid – Political Activist


18. Akam Ahmad Latif – Political Activist


19. Dana Mohammed Ahmad – Activist & Critic


20. Kosrat Dilshad Mohammed – Activist & Commentator


21. Zana Ahmad Hama Ali – Political Activist


22. Rebar Salim Saleh – Activist & Commentator


23. Makwan Taha – Civil Activist


24. Akam Ahmad Abdullah – Activist & Critic


25. Rawij Rzgar Taha – Activist & Critic


26. Shawna Hilal Hama – Civil Activist


27. Karwan Mohammed – Political Activist


28. Mohammed Abdullah Omar – Journalist & Activist


29. Hikmat Abdulqadir Mawlood – Political Activist


30. Soran Ghaffar – Activist & Critic


31. Siamand Hamid – Political Activist


32. Hoshyar Hama Khidir – Political Activist & Media Worker


33. Bilal Omar Ali – Civil Activist


34. Rzgar Jabbar Mohammed – Civil Activist


35. Abdullah Abdulkhaliq – Activist & Critic


36. Raber Ashraf – Cameraman


37. Lazo Mohammed Hassan – Civil Activist


38. Ahmad Omar Nabi – Civil Activist


39. Dana Luqman Salam – Political Analyst & Critic


40. Darawan Ismail – Activist & Member of Dakok Management Board


41. Kawan Nariman – Political Activist


42. Bakhtyar Mohammed Sharif – Political Activist & Critic


43. Mabast Salah Raouf – Political Activist


44. Hiwa Jamil Mohammed – Activist & Critic


45. Mohammed Muzafar Abdulkarim – Political Activist


46. Mohammed Hussein Mawlood – Political Activist


47. Lazo Mohammed Hassan – Political Activist


48. Balen Jabbar Ahmed – Political Activist & Critic


49. Rebien Osman Mohammed – Political Activist


50. Ziyad Es’had Aziz – Political Activist


51. Raqeeb Osman Ghafoor – Activist & Critic


52. Rebwar Abdullah Mohammed Amin – Geographer & Civil Activist


53. Hawal Rzgar – Political Commentator


54. Masoud Sharif Mohammed Amin – Political Activist


55. Brawa Kamil Ismail – Political Activist


56. Arslan Ali Rashid – Activist & Commentator


57. Kawan Ali Qadir – Political Critic & Activist


58. Sherwan Mohammed Hassan – Political Critic & Activist


59. Ahmad Jalal – Political Critic & Activist


60. Didar Askandar Aziz – Political Commentator


61. Saryas Jalil Khalaf – Political Activist


62. Hemen Mohammed Salih – Political Critic & Activist


63. Falah Maroof Saleh – Political Critic & Activist


64. Shakhawan Hussein Sharif – Media Worker & Activist


65. Rebwar Yasin Fattah – Political Activist


66. Mohammed Akram – Civil Activist


67. Rebien Osman – Civil Activist


68. Rebaz Awla Mustafa – Journalist


69. Awara Hamza Hussein – Political Activist


70. Bahoz Raz Ibrahim – Activist & Critic


71. Diyar Bakr Hama Talib – Civil Activist


72. Rezhin Abdullah Saleh – Activist & Commentator


73. Raman Ahmad Mohammed – Civil Activist


74. Didar Askandar Aziz – Activist & Critic


75. Farhad Aziz Mohammed – Civil Activist


76. Hawkar Bahir – Civil Activist


77. Shahoz Sadiq – Political Activist


78. Kayfi Sleman – Civil Activist


79. Mohammed Rasul – Political Activist


80. Miran Anwar Rahim – Civil Activist


81. Kryar Abdullah – Political Activist


82. Mohammed Karim – Activist & Commentator


83. Adnan Salah – Writer


84. Rajan Rasul Ahmed – Political Activist & Critic