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
