Calls for Iraq’s Abadi to prosecute members of his security team

An Iraqi human rights organisation yesterday called on Prime Minister, Haidar Al-Abadi, to prosecute a number of his bodyguards for assaulting journalists while on duty.

This came during a press conference organised by members of the coalition of “Article 38 of the Iraqi Constitution” which includes 55 local organisations and cultural, arts, media and rights figures in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

“We call on the prime minister to refer members of his protection team to the judiciary for assaulting journalists while covering Al-Abadi’s visit to the province of Najaf last Sunday, to attend a ceremony celebrating the state’s victory over Daesh,” coalition member, Mohammed Al-Salami, said.

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According to Al-Salami, “attacks on journalists are increasing daily in Iraq by state officials and their bodyguards amid the absence of accountability and impunity of perpetrators.”

Al-Salami added that the coalition also condemns the kidnapping of journalist Mohammed Amin in Mosul by members of the protection team of dismissed governor of Nineveh, Nofal Al-Sultani. “The journalist was severely beaten, and has now left the city of Mosul after his release. Therefore we demand an immediate investigation in to the incident and to refer those involved to the judiciary,” he added.

The coalition of Article 38 of the Iraqi Constitution was founded in June to defend freedom of expression and media institutions in Iraq.

Iraq is classed as one of the most dangerous countries for press work, where hundreds of journalists have been killed since the overthrow of the regime of long time dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.