UNAMI Condemns Killing of Journalist in Kirkuk Governorate, Acts of Intimidation and Violence against Journalists, Parliament Members and Political Offices in Kurdistan Region

UNAMI appreciates the stance of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) that appealed to the people to keep calm in the wake of the political developments on Sunday 29 October, to prevent subversive individuals from carrying out destructive actions, warned against any attempt to target the political branch office of any political faction in the region and called on security forces to prevent any plot against the stability of the Kurdistan Region. UNAMI also appreciates the Government of Iraq’s calls for de-escalation and compliance with the law and order in Kurdistan and its keenness on the stability in all the governorates across of Iraq.

The Mission calls on the authorities to investigate the stabbing which resulted in the death of a cameraman working for a Kurdish TV station at his home in Dakuk area in Kirkuk Governorate and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Mission calls on the authorities to do their utmost to ensure the safety of all citizens, including journalists, politicians and media outlets.

UNAMI also takes note of the decision by the Iraqi federal authorities to ban the broadcasts of some media outlets in Kurdistan Region.

The Mission believes that at times of crisis a free media becomes even more essential than usually to safeguard the public interest and protect democracy. At the same time, hate speech and incitement to violence based on religion, race or political affiliation, have no place in a democracy.

UNAMI has steadfastly called for de-escalation between the Federal Government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government in Erbil, and for negotiations on all the pending issues in a constructive spirit. This spirit includes ending public inflammatory statements and confrontational steps as a matter of priority.