(IOHRD)

Initiators Organization for Human Rights & Democracy

KVK  nu.:69645892

Address :   Carbon 6 – Kloosterweg 1

6412CN ,Heerlen – Nederlands

Phone nu. : 003168417301

www.iohrd.nl

info@iohrd.nl

 

IOHRD Condemnation

the Iraq human rights defender, Basim kashaan, Prison Sentence

  

Date: Wednesday 07/02/2018.

 

IOHRD stunned and condemns all forms of imprisonment, detention,  and prosecution of the human rights defenders and activists  the last few months in Iraq ending with the convection of the Iraqi human rights defender, Basim kashaan. It is very clear that the main purpose of these conventions is to silence the  free voice of the civil society that is represented by the defenders who have a national mission to monitor, document, and stand against corruption and violations; these defenders follow all legal and civil path in their fight.

IOHRD noticed very hostile steps that have been taken by the Iraqi executive, monitoring, and judicial institutions against human rights activists and defenders. This seems very embarrassing and stressful to those governmental institutions to call them for  real reforms and true fight against corruption and spoilers. Human rights activists’ reform requests came along with the Iraqi prime minister reform campaign, which make it very strange to target these defenders because of calling for the same reforms!

The current targeting campaigns reached the Iraqi human rights defender, Basim kashaan,   who is a well-known of his extraordinary efforts in AL Mothanna City to stand against the corruption and the spoilers.  He followed all the legal and democratic ways in his fight by resorting to the Iraqi courts and public prosecution service  to chase any suspicious  corruption activities. However, the Iraqi institutions, in their efforts to  scare and silence the activists, filed  false complaints using the criminal law to  prosecute these activists for unclear and unreal crimes that they did not committed such as (crime of publications, crime of justice mislead,  fals news, libel and insult,  defamation). Unfortunately, those activists have been convicted and sentenced for  six or seven years in prison, which is very unfair and crue. This   indicates that the judicial system in Iraq supports the targeting campaign against the human rights defenders and activists in Iraq.

IOHRD believes these convection statements mean that the spoilers achieved their goals to terrorise the activists and defenders. All  subsequent  judicial convection cancellation decisions do not mean anything only close the  international disapproval and condemnation file against the civil society defenders and activists targeting policy; the judicial system in Iraq does not  absolve its responsibility to protect civil society defenders and activists.

IOHRD believes that these procedures, prosecution,  and conviction statements constitute  violations of the Iraqi citizens’ constitutional rights. In addition, they violate the Iraqi defenders and activists freedom of expression and fair trial rights.

IOHRD would like to remind Iraqi government,  include its three branches,  of its  legal responsibility toward its citizens including the civil society defenders and activists at the national and international obligations levels.

Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights  said“ Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him”

Also, Article 14/1  of the international Convention of the civil and Political Rights said “  All persons shall be equal before the courts and tribunals. In the determination of any criminal charge against him, or of his rights and obligations in a suit at law, everyone shall be entitled to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law”

 

Recommendations:

 

IOHRD recommends  the Iraqi judicial, executive, and  legislative authorities to:

  1. Cancel all convection statements against the defender Basim Kashaan and release him immediately.
  2. Review all effective legislations in purpose of not criminalize the freedom of expression or narrow its scope to be consistent with Iraq  international obligation in regards to the freedom of expression, especially article (19) of the International Convention of the Civil and Political Rights.
  3.  To prevent, during the transitional period,  Iraqi judicial authority from applying the effective provisions and prosecute the individuals for their peaceful expression of their opinions. Based on a judicial suspension decision of the  Iraqi federal court, considers any convection  of this kind as a constitutional violation and violation of Iraq international obligations.
  4. The Iraqi parliament must cancel all laws and legislations that conflict with the international norms  that protect the freedom of expression. Or the constitutional court must decide to conform these laws  with  the constitution protection.
  5. Promote the  freedom of expression respect culture in the public discussion for the public figures and do not criminalize their activities.
  6. Collaborate with the civil society to stop any violation and stand against corruption.

 

 

 

 

 

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