On May 8, 2025, security forces affiliated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) reportedly blocked a peaceful gathering intended to call for the release of Kurdish journalist and activist Omed Baroshki. The gathering, organized by civil society activists and supporters, was aimed at highlighting the unjust detention of Baroshki and demanding his immediate release. The forced prevention of this peaceful event underscores the ongoing repression of free speech and civil liberties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).
Who is Omed Baroshki?
Omed Baroshki is a prominent journalist and activist from Duhok, known for his outspoken stance on corruption, injustice, and violations of human rights within the KRI. Over the years, he has been repeatedly targeted by security forces due to his reporting and criticism of the ruling authorities, particularly the KDP.
Baroshki’s arrest is part of a wider crackdown on journalists and activists following the 2020 protests in the Badinan area. Human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned these detentions, calling them politically motivated and a clear violation of international human rights standards.
A Pattern of Silencing Dissent
The suppression of the May 8 event is emblematic of a larger pattern of authoritarian measures taken by the KDP-affiliated authorities to silence dissent in the region. This includes:
- Arbitrary arrests of journalists and activists.
- Suppression of peaceful protests.
- Intimidation and surveillance of civil society organizations.
- Censorship and shutdowns of media outlets critical of the government.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Iraq—including the Kurdistan Region—ranked 169 out of 180 in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, highlighting the severe restrictions on media freedom and safety for journalists.
Violations of International Human Rights
The actions of the security forces on May 8 are in direct violation of multiple international human rights instruments, including:
- Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression…” - Article 20 of the UDHR:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.” - Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR):
“The right of peaceful assembly shall be recognized…”
As a signatory to the ICCPR, Iraq—and by extension, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)—is legally bound to uphold these rights. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has repeatedly emphasized the importance of protecting journalists and ensuring that civic space remains open and safe.
Statement by Dakok Organization for Rights and Freedom
We, at Dakok for Rights and Freedom, firmly condemn the unlawful prevention of the peaceful gathering held on May 8, 2025, to demand the release of Omed Baroshki.
This event’s suppression is yet another example of the systematic erosion of fundamental freedoms in the Kurdistan Region and is in direct violation of both Iraqi constitutional law and international human rights obligations.
Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to demand justice are not optional—they are essential and non-negotiable human rights.
We demand the following:
- The immediate and unconditional release of Omed Baroshki and all individuals detained for peacefully exercising their right to free expression.
- An end to the repression of activists, journalists, and civil society organizations in the Kurdistan Region.
- Adherence to international human rights norms, including those outlined by the United Nations and enshrined in the UDHR and ICCPR.
We call upon the United Nations, international human rights bodies, and democratic governments to hold the KRG accountable and to ensure that the people of Kurdistan can enjoy the rights and freedoms they are entitled to.
Dakok for Rights and Freedom
May 8, 2025
