Sherwan Hassan – Activists
In 2020, a group of journalists, civil society activists, and members of the intellectual community from the Badhinan area in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq were arrested in what has since been widely criticized by international human rights organizations. These individuals, now commonly referred to as the “Badhinan Prisoners,” were detained under charges such as espionage and endangering national security—accusations that many view as politically motivated and lacking credible evidence.
The arrests occurred in the context of widespread unrest triggered by growing public frustration over unpaid salaries, rampant corruption, and the ongoing military activities of Turkish forces in the region. In response to these protests, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) launched a harsh crackdown. In Duhok province alone, security forces reportedly detained over 100 individuals, many of whom were journalists and activists merely exercising their right to free expression.
The legal procedures that followed these arrests have drawn sharp condemnation from international observers. Organizations such as the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) have pointed out serious procedural flaws, including the lack of substantive evidence and the heavy reliance on unverified witness testimonies. The case of Sherwan Sherwani, a prominent journalist, exemplifies the severity of these miscarriages of justice. Arrested in October 2020, Sherwani was sentenced to six years in prison on charges of espionage, despite widespread concerns over the fairness of his trial. In July 2023, his sentence was extended by an additional four years, based on allegations of forging documents—allegations that his legal defense strongly disputes.
This pattern of repression and judicial overreach illustrates a deeply troubling trend in the Kurdistan Region: the erosion of democratic principles and disregard for basic human rights. Arresting peaceful demonstrators and silencing dissenting voices through flawed legal processes does not only undermine the rule of law, but it also threatens the long-term stability and credibility of the region’s governing institutions.
In a time when transparency, accountability, and the protection of civil liberties are more important than ever, the situation of the Badhinan prisoners serves as a cautionary tale. It is a call for both local and international actors to reassert the importance of justice, ensure due process, and demand the release of those imprisoned for merely exercising their fundamental rights.