The International Federation
of Journalists today warned that violence against journalists in Iraq is once
again on the rise and has called for an investigation in two deaths of Iraqi
journalists.
Iraqi Kurdish journalist Sardasht
Osman was kidnapped on 4 May and found dead two days later in the city of Mosul. His murder is
linked to reporting critical of figures in the Kurdish Regional Government. Last
week another journalist, Raheem Al-Shamry, died in an explosion in
Al-Hella city.
"These shocking events are a throw
back to the darkest days for journalism and democracy in Iraq," said
Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "We must not allow the situation to
deteriorate further and we urge the authorities to vigorously pursue those
responsible and bring them to justice."
According to media reports,
Osman who was a final year English language student and wrote for Ashtiname newspaper
in Erbil, capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, was abducted by
unidentified gunmen who bundled him in the car and drove away. Reports quoted
family sources as saying that he had received death threats following the
publication of an article in which he criticised a senior Kurdish politician.
His murder shocked the media
community which has enjoyed a period of relative calm after years of enduring
violent attacks. The killing of Raheem Al-Shamry, a journalist with Al-Fath newspaper, added further
concern. He died in an explosion at a factory in Al-Hella city which also
injured three other reporters.
The IFJ says these attacks have revived
the memories of violence against journalists during the Iraq war and subsequent
sectarian conflict which claimed over 250 lives of journalists and media personnel
since 2003.
"The fragile revival of professional
journalism is at risk from ruthless and powerful forces with much to lose in an
open and progressive society," added White. "It is time to stand up for
democratic values, underpinned by a free
and safe press."
For more information
contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 22 07
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists
in 125 countries worldwide
