KRG US Representative responds to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

May 5, 2009, Washington DC.

The KRG's Representative to the US, Qubad Talabany, assured the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) that the KRG will seriously look into allegations of press freedom violations in Iraqi Kurdistan.

In a letter sent to CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon (see below), Representative Talabany states "We treat as a priority matters related to freedom of expression, and the development of civil society in our Region." He went on to say "I wish to assure you that we will look into every allegation stated in your letter and will respond in an appropriate way"

The CPJ applauded the KRG for progress made on press freedoms in Kurdistan, including the passage of a press law in 2008, but also cited allegations labeled against the government and judiciary of Iraqi Kurdistan.

We will keep you updated on developments related to this issue.

Mr. Joel Simon
Executive Director
The Committee to Protect Journalists
330 7th Avenue, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10001


May 5, 2009

Dear Mr. Simon

Thank you for your thorough letter addressed to Prime Minister Barzani dated May 5th 2009, regarding the alleged press freedom violations in the Kurdistan Region. We treat as a priority matters related to freedom of expression, and the development of civil society in our Region.

Therefore I wish to assure you that we will look into every allegation stated in your letter and will respond in an appropriate way.

We in Iraqi Kurdistan are proud of the press law passed in October of 2008. This law, drafted and passed in part because of the support and guidance provided by the CPJ, is one of many steps that our leadership is taking to push our Region in the right direction on matters related to the development of freedom of expression and individual rights. The passage of this law alone will not resolve our issues however. Furthermore, we understand that there remain sporadic instances of a lack of adherence to this law by elements within our judiciary, but this hardly reflects a “deterioration of press freedoms in Kurdistan” as stated in your letter. We believe that only through the experience of actually implementing this new law, and working with respected organizations such as the CPJ, will we institutionalize this law, and better our practices.

While our governing and judicial bodies adapt to this new law, so must our journalists and media outlets. We welcome any efforts by the CPJ to suggest ways and to help promote a higher standard of professional journalism within our Region, as well an understanding of the need for a more robust adherence to the law by our judicial authorities.


Sincerely Yours,



Qubad Talabany
Representative to the U.S.