By Nawas Ali sharef
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq, long hailed as a relative haven of stability in a turbulent region, is now grappling with a dangerous internal erosion of civil liberties. At the center of growing authoritarian tendencies stands the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led de facto by Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister and son of former President Masoud Barzani. Under his leadership, a troubling pattern has emerged — one marked by the silencing of dissent, the arrest of independent journalists, and the brutal suppression of activists who dare to challenge the status quo.
The Case of Arrested Journalists
Perhaps the most emblematic example of this repression is the arrest and sentencing of five journalists and activists in Badinan in 2021. Among them was Sherwan Sherwani, a respected investigative journalist known for exposing corruption and human rights violations. Sherwani and his colleagues were detained under vague charges of “endangering national security,” a catch-all phrase increasingly used to punish voices critical of the ruling elite.
Despite international outcry from organizations such as Human Rights Watch, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Reporters Without Borders, the KDP-controlled judiciary upheld harsh sentences, citing private WhatsApp messages and social media activity as evidence — tactics more typical of authoritarian regimes than a supposedly democratic region.
Masrour Barzani’s Growing Authoritarianism
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has shown little tolerance for dissent since taking office in 2019. While he publicly speaks of reform and modernization, his government has cracked down on nearly every form of criticism. Activists protesting unpaid salaries, unemployment, or corruption have been met with swift police action, arbitrary detention, and threats.
In 2020, teacher protests erupted across the region due to unpaid wages — a direct result of the government’s financial mismanagement and systemic corruption. Instead of listening to grievances, Barzani’s security forces violently dispersed protests, arresting dozens. Several activists reported being tortured during interrogation.
Even on university campuses — traditionally a hotbed for political expression — students who organized peaceful demonstrations have been expelled or detained. The message from Barzani’s administration is clear: criticism will not be tolerated.
Control Over Media and Surveillance
KDP’s grip on the media has intensified under Masrour Barzani. While a few independent outlets still attempt to report the truth, many journalists operate under constant threat. Media channels perceived as unfriendly to the Barzani family face closure, harassment, or lawsuits. The prime minister’s office reportedly funds loyalist media while blacklisting critical ones from government advertising and access.
Furthermore, the use of digital surveillance to monitor dissent has expanded significantly. Reports suggest that activists’ phones and social media accounts are routinely hacked or monitored. This has created a climate of fear, where speaking out feels increasingly dangerous.
Corruption Shielded by Repression
The root of this crackdown lies in the need to shield systemic corruption. The Barzani family’s immense wealth — accumulated during decades in power — remains a taboo topic in Kurdistan’s mainstream media. Properties in Dubai, the U.S., and Europe, along with business monopolies in key sectors, raise serious questions about transparency and accountability.
Masrour Barzani, despite being in charge of national security for over a decade prior to becoming Prime Minister, has refused independent audits or reforms. Every whistleblower or investigative journalist who gets too close to exposing corruption finds themselves behind bars, in exile, or worse — silenced completely.
The International Community’s Silence
Despite the clear evidence of human rights violations, the international community — particularly Western governments — has remained largely silent. The KDP’s strategic role in oil exports and regional security often buys it diplomatic impunity. But silence is complicity. By failing to pressure the KDP, the West is enabling the gradual destruction of freedom in a region that once aspired to be a democratic model in the Middle East.