Draw Media

U.S. Consul General in Erbil highlights that Promoting democracy, human rights, and freedom the press are key priorities for the U.S. Consulate General in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR).

During meeting with a group of journalists in the presence of Draw media representative Fazil Rafat, U.S. Consul General Ervin Hicks said that our priorities are effectively achieved by working with our partners in government, civil society, under-represented communities, religious organizations, and media outlets to encourage the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to ensure that democratic principles and values are the foundation for a free press, the freedom of peaceful assembly, protections against gender-based violence, equal opportunities for under-represented communities, and accountability for those who engage in violence against women.

The U.S. Consulate General in the IKR remains concerned over the arrest and detention of journalists on charges related to their reporting. “Our concerns include reports of journalists being detained without cause or due process, assaulted, threatened, or having their electronic devices searched without warrants.”

He added that “We are equally concerned over reports that certain media outlets and journalists, particularly women and members from under-represented communities, are being denied access to official press conferences, or are receiving inconsistent legal information that is impeding their ability to meet the registration process. We look forward to the KRG’s implementation of the Access to Information Law to promote accountability and bolster the ability of journalists to secure information from its Ministries.”