Iraqi Kurdistan’s Minister condemns violations against its journalists

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Culture & Youth Minister in northern Iraq ’s Kurdistan Region has said on Tuesday that his government rejects all aggressive acts and violations against journalists, party offices, newspapers and citizens, as well as respecting the right of peaceful demonstrations.   “The official position of Kurdistan Region’s government in this respect had been announced by the General Directorate for Culture & Arts in Suliamaniya city, during a solidarity meeting with the Nalya Broadcasting Channel that was attacked in the city,” Minister Kawa Mahmoud told IraqiNews.com news agency.   “We reject all aggressive acts and violations that have taken place against party offices, newspapers, journalists and citizens, along with any attacks against security men, assigned to protect demonstrators,” he said.   Noteworthy is that the so-called Metro Centre for the Defense of Journalists Rights in Kurdistan had issued a report, expressing condemnation for the continuation of violations against journalists over the past few weeks, citing than over 100 such violations took place against reporters in the Region.   Meanwhile, the Minister said that 2 security men have been killed and over 100 others injured during clashes with demonstrators, since the beginning of demonstrations in the Region on Feb. 17 th last.   SKH (TI) 519