The College of Law and Politics at the University of Human Development (UHD), in collaboration with the Metro Centre for Journalists’ Rights & Advocacy, held a joint panel today, 2 November 2026, to observe the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. Held at the Professor Dr Ali Qaradaghi Hall, the panel addressed the issue of press freedom in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq under the title, ‘The Status of Press Freedom in the Kurdistan Region in Light of Applicable Laws’.

The speakers on the panel were Professor Dr Saman Fawzi, a senior lecturer in the UHD Department of Law, media law specialist, and former Iraqi lawmaker; Mr Diary Muhammed, the Director of the Metro Centre; and Assistant Professor Kardo Kareem, a senior lecturer in the UHD Department of Law, who moderated the session.

Mr Muhammed focused on the challenges facing press freedom in the Kurdistan Region, describing the current situation as dangerous. He noted that more journalists now face harassment, arrest, and prosecution than in the past, leading many to lose faith in the ability of the courts to deliver justice. While he pointed out that the situation in the Kurdistan Region remains comparatively better than in the rest of Iraq, he stressed that this should not justify complacency. He highlighted that journalists are frequently detained unlawfully on baseless charges, and their electronic devices are confiscated. He called for a more robust implementation of the Journalism Law, which he described as a progressive piece of legislation given the regional context.

Professor Dr Fawzi highlighted key aspects of the Journalism Law, which was enacted by the Kurdistan Parliament in 2007. He noted that despite its shortcomings, the law represented a significant milestone and a major achievement—a piece of legislation Dr Fawzi himself played an important role in drafting. However, Dr Fawzi acknowledged that the law is not being properly enforced on the ground; if it were, journalists would not be arrested and held in custody contrary to its provisions. He admitted that the current political situation in Kurdistan is not helpful to amending the law to make it less ambiguous and more supportive of a free press. Nevertheless, he maintained that progress must not stall, urging continuous legal efforts to create a safe and welcoming environment for journalists.

‘The progress and development of any society is directly tied to the freedom of the press,’ he concluded.

The Director of the Metro Centre thanked UHD for the initiative, describing the event as a bold and necessary step. The panel concluded with comments and questions from the audience.