In Sulaimaniya, Deputy Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region Qubad Talabani, and Sulaimaniya Governor Haval Abubakr unveiled a monument commemorating 551 journalists martyred for their profession over the past 20 years. The monument, located in Azadi Park, honors the courage of journalists who gave their lives for freedom of expression, with particular tribute to two recently assassinated female journalists. The event emphasized the importance of protecting free speech and journalists’ rights.
Honoring Fallen Journalists
The ceremony began with remarks from Muayyad Lami, Deputy of the Iraqi Union of Journalists, who expressed his pride in being present for the unveiling of the monument. He praised the sacrifice of Iraqi journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty, stating, “We have over 60 martyrs of journalists who were killed while fighting against ISIS terrorists. They were doing their sacred duty of conveying the truth to the public.”
Lami underscored the significance of supporting journalists and ensuring their rights, particularly in the context of freedom of expression, which remains under threat. He reiterated the Iraqi Union of Journalists’ commitment to work closely with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Sulaimaniya branch of Kurdish journalists to protect press freedom.
Tribute to Martyrs and Monument’s Meaning
A documentary video was screened during the ceremony, illustrating the idea behind the monument and its implementation. It was noted that since 2003, Iraq and Syria have accounted for one-third of all journalists martyred worldwide. The monument, now located in Sulaimaniya’s Azadi Park, stands as a testament to the lives lost in pursuit of truth and justice.
Deputy Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region Qubad Talabani, who supervised the project, emphasized the role of these journalists as heroes who will never be forgotten. He remarked, “Although 551 martyrs of journalists are registered on this monument, the last two, Hero and Gulistan, were assassinated only three weeks ago. We hope they will be the last martyrs.” Talabani highlighted the importance of Azadi Park for this monument, referencing the many Kurdish lives lost under the Ba’ath regime in the same location. He said, “President Mam Jalal created a platform for freedom in this place, and it is where people can express their opinions courageously.”
Talabani underscored the importance of the monument in commemorating the ultimate sacrifice made by these journalists, adding that it represents a debt society owes to them for preserving freedom. He further explained the absence of any national center in Iraq documenting the names of martyred journalists, which necessitated collecting the names from different sources for the monument.
A Platform for Free Expression
The monument in Azadi Park not only serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by journalists but also underscores the enduring value of freedom. Deputy Prime Minister stressed, “No society is healthy without freedom, and we Kurds have made countless sacrifices for that freedom. Protecting it is our duty, and we owe these martyrs for the freedom we enjoy.”
A website has been created alongside the monument, documenting the names, photographs, and identities of the martyred journalists, reinforcing their legacy and symbolizing the ongoing struggle for press freedom in Iraq and Kurdistan.
The unveiling of the monument reflects not only the courage of journalists but also the responsibility of society to protect and cherish free expression. The continued recognition and preservation of these ideals serve as a tribute to the martyred journalists and a commitment to the future of a free press.
