On November 14, 2024, a peaceful demonstration organised by Dakok Organisation for Right and Freedom in front of the Iraqi Consulate in Manchester was overshadowed by disturbing actions from consulate staff, who were witnessed filming and monitoring activists from the building’s first floor.
The demonstration was held to raise public awareness about widespread electoral fraud during the Kurdistan parliamentary elections of October 20, 2024. Dakok, alongside Kurdish activists, called attention to what they described as systemic manipulation and exclusion of Kurdish voices, especially within disputed territories and diaspora communities.
Demonstrators carried signs and chanted powerful slogans, including:
“Our vote is our choice,”
“No fraud—our choices!”
“Democracy is our choice,”
“Freedom and fairness are our choice,”
“People power is the choice!”
These chants reflected the determination of the Kurdish community to defend democratic rights and oppose electoral injustice—not just in Kurdistan, but wherever Kurds reside.
Fear of Reprisal
However, during the protest, multiple participants reported being watched, photographed, and recorded by staff inside the consulate, a move that raised grave safety and privacy concerns.
For many demonstrators, the fear lies not just in being watched, but in what happens to that footage. With no information provided about where the recordings are stored, how they are shared, or who has access to them, the act of filming protesters—especially those opposing the Iraqi government and Kurdish ruling parties—places them and their families at risk.
Dakok’s Stance
Dakok reaffirms its commitment to peaceful activism and civic empowerment, despite attempts at surveillance and suppression. The organisation continues to advocate for transparent democratic practices, protection of civil liberties, and the safety of all protesters and whistleblowers.
“Our voices will not be silenced,” a statement read. “We stand with the people—our vote is our choice.”
Dakok Organisation for Right and Freedom
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