US 'concerned' about response to protests in Kurdistan Region
Press freedom issues are not new in the autonomous Iraqi region.
Security forces’ response to recent protests in the Kurdistan Region has led to criticism from some Western governments allied with the autonomous Iraqi region.
On Aug. 6, supporters of the Kurdish opposition party New Generation organized protests throughout the Kurdistan Region, including in the regional capital, Erbil, and the second-largest city of Sulaimaniyah. The demonstrations were in support of job opportunities, on-time payment of public employees’ salaries, relief of high fuel prices and other issues. Dozens of activists, journalists and others were arrested. Security forces in Sulaimaniyah also allegedly fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the crowd. At least some of those detained have subsequently been released, according to local media.
The Sulaimaniyah-based Metro Center, which advocates for press freedom in the Kurdistan Region, also said some activists were arrested ahead of the protests.
Several Western embassies issued statements in regard to the arrests.
