Kurdistan Authorities: Arresting People Under the Pretext of National Security

A new Kurdfile report reveals shocking human rights abuses in Iraqi Kurdistan, where authorities claim national security to justify mass intimidation, torture, and wrongful detentions.

Kurdfile has uncovered the brutal methods used by the special forces of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to keep control in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. These authorities are killing people, silencing dissent, and committing serious human rights violations, all under the excuse of national security.

Victims’ statements reveal that the KDP and PUK are spreading fear within Kurdistan and beyond. They create a fake image of security by falsely accusing groups of protesters of bizarre crimes. Every month, they use media manipulation to make these false claims seem real.

One of their main tactics is to label regular citizens as terrorists under Article 4, often calling them ISIS members. These people are usually peaceful protesters or critics of the authorities, unjustly accused to suppress opposition. Once arrested, detainees face severe torture, forced confessions, and threats against their families.

In one terrifying account, a detainee’s sister revealed that her brother was forced to confess under the threat of her being raped in front of him. These extreme measures are meant to crush resistance and ensure submission through fear.

It’s almost impossible to gather detailed information on these abuses because the authorities control the flow of information. Families of victims often remain silent, fearing further harm if they speak out. This culture of fear allows the authorities’ actions to go mostly unchallenged.

Former Kurdistan Parliment member  Soran Omar, who also led the Human Rights Committee of the Kurdistan parliment, fourth session, confirms that there are secret prisons in the region. These hidden facilities are used to detain and torture those seen as threats to the regime, highlighting the severe human rights crisis in Kurdistan.

Despite these grim realities, European and American countries have been fooled by media campaigns portraying Kurdistan as a peaceful and stable place. This false image allows the KDP and PUK to continue their abuses with little international scrutiny.

Harki

I am a dedicated member of the Syndicate of Kurdistan Journalists with over seven years of experience in both local and international press. My background includes roles as an editor, translator, and social activist. Through my work, I am committed to ending corruption and human rights violations by uncovering and sharing the truth about what is happening in Kurdistan.