Flawed Trials and Long, Unfair Sentences for Critics – Kurdistan Region, 2021
A trial with no fairness, no defense, and no truth — just another example of how Kurdish authorities use fear and the law to crush anyone who speaks out and to warn others what happens when you refuse to stay silent.
5/8/20241 min read
In early 2021, the Kurdish authorities sentenced three journalists and two activists to six years in prison after what many called one of the most unfair and politically motivated trials in years. The men — often referred to as the Badinan activists — had been openly criticizing corruption, poor governance, and the abuse of power by the Kurdish ruling parties.
Instead of being heard, they were silenced. The government accused them of “spying,” “destabilizing the region,” and “planning unauthorized protests,” even though there was no real evidence. They were arrested in late 2020 and kept in detention for months before the trial began. During that time, they said they were interrogated, threatened, and forced to sign false confessions under pressure. When their trial finally started, it was clear that the verdict had already been decided long before they entered the courtroom.
Here’s what happened:
The defendants were not allowed to properly defend themselves or speak freely during the hearings.
Their lawyers were interrupted and silenced repeatedly by the judge whenever they tried to challenge the accusations.
Evidence that could have proven their innocence was completely ignored.
Journalists and observers were prevented from attending parts of the trial.
Reports suggested that security forces were present inside the courtroom to intimidate both the accused and the defense lawyers.
After the verdict, outrage spread quickly across Kurdistan. People in Duhok, Erbil, and other cities protested against the decision, demanding the men’s release. Human rights groups — including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the Committee to Protect Journalists — described the trial as “seriously flawed” and accused the authorities of using the legal system as a weapon to silence critics.
The Kurdish government ignored the calls for justice, defending the sentences and continuing to label the men as “spies.” This case became a turning point — a clear warning to anyone brave enough to speak the truth. It showed how far those in power would go to crush dissent, using fear, intimidation, and fake justice to silence their own people.
Source: https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/04/22/kurdistan-region-iraq-flawed-trial-journalists-activists