UK Parliament Members Back Dakok’s Advocacy Campaign for Jailed Journalists

Dakok welcomes the growing support in the UK Parliament for its advocacy campaign calling for the release of jailed Kurdish journalists.

On 8 September 2025, several Members of Parliament signed the motion in solidarity, including:

• Medi, Llinos (Plaid Cymru – Ynys Môn)
• Saville Roberts, Liz (Plaid Cymru – Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
• Lake, Ben (Plaid Cymru – Ceredigion Preseli)
• Davies, Ann (Plaid Cymru – Caerfyrddin)
• Johnson, Kim (Labour – Liverpool Riverside)

This followed the signatures of the first six sponsoring Members, who tabled and initiated the motion:

• McDonnell, John (Independent – Hayes and Harlington) — Signed on 3 September 2025 (Primary Sponsor)
• Duncan-Jordan, Neil (Independent – Poole) — Signed on 4 September 2025
• Trickett, Jon (Labour – Normanton and Hemsworth) — Signed on 4 September 2025
• Berry, Siân (Green Party – Brighton Pavilion) — Signed on 4 September 2025
• Medi, Llinos (Plaid Cymru – Ynys Môn) — Signed on 8 September 2025
• Saville Roberts, Liz (Plaid Cymru – Dwyfor Meirionnydd) — Signed on 8 September 2025

Supporters (9)

Total signatures so far: 9
Withdrawn signatures: 0

The first six Members listed above are the sponsors of the motion, with John McDonnell serving as the Primary Sponsor.

This parliamentary action followed Dakok’s nationwide demonstrations and advocacy campaign on 1 August 2025, when members and supporters across the UK gathered in multiple cities — including Manchester, London, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow, Cardiff and Birmingham — and wrote to their local MPs demanding justice for jailed journalists Sherwan Sherwani and Omed Baroshki.

While the campaign has already resulted in parliamentary support for Sherwan Sherwani, Dakok strongly hopes that Omed Baroshki will now receive the same level of attention and advocacy from UK lawmakers.

List of Dakok Members Who Sent Emails to Their MPs

As part of the 1 August 2025 advocacy action, the following Dakok members participated by sending emails to their respective UK Members of Parliament:

Dakok extends its gratitude to all members who actively contributed to amplifying the voices of jailed journalists through direct parliamentary engagement.

Dakok calls on British MPs to:

• Raise the case of Omed Baroshki in Parliament and with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office;
• Apply diplomatic pressure on the Kurdistan Regional Government to secure his immediate and unconditional release;
• Coordinate with civil society organisations and human rights advocates to amplify awareness of political abuses in the Kurdistan Region;
• Demand accountability for unlawful detentions and violations of freedom of expression.

Dakok’s Message to UK Lawmakers

Dakok reaffirms its commitment to press freedom and human rights, urging UK political leaders to ensure that both Sherwan Sherwani and Omed Baroshki receive justice and freedom without delay.

We also call on all remaining Members of Parliament to take this opportunity to stand on the right side of history. By supporting this motion, MPs will not only strengthen the demand for justice but also make it a mark of their own commitment to human rights, freedom of expression, and democratic values.