Joey Haddad holds S. Kurdistan authorities responsible for Suleiman Ahmed abduction 

More than five months have passed since the kidnapping of journalist and editor of Roj News Agency, Suleiman Ahmed, and the authorities of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (PDK) are still keeping a secret about his fate and whereabouts, despite all appeals from the relevant authorities and human rights associations to free him and reveal the circumstances of his kidnapping.

What happened with journalist Suleiman Ahmed is a blatant violation of press freedom, threatens the safety of journalists, and hinders their work in revealing the facts and holding the corrupt accountable.

Forms of kidnapping journalists and their goals?

There are many forms of kidnapping of journalists. It may be by armed parties aiming to blackmail, pressure the media, or silence the voice of truth and opposition.

As well as kidnapping by the dominant government authorities, and this is what happened with journalist Suleiman Ahmed, who was reporting the truth and covering the events of his country, then his fate ended in kidnapping. Did reporting the truth embarrass the PDK party’s authority and threaten its interests?

All of these practices undermine freedom of expression and create an environment of fear among those working in the media field.

Publisher and editor-in-chief of the “Press Without Borders” website in Lebanon, Joey Haddad, spoke to ANHA's agency in this context, and said: “Despite international conventions and legal legislation that call for preserving journalists and their freedom of movement and pen, we find that their lives are turning into a nightmare that worries their lives at night and day."

Joey Haddad explained: “After the tragedies of journalists in Gaza, we find that the policy of silencing is moving from one place to another, and not far from what happened in the kidnapping of colleague Suleiman Ahmed, editor at Roj News Agency, by groups from the Kurdistan Democratic Party, for more than 174 days. No one knows any news about Suleiman, and even his lawyer was unable to obtain any information about him or his condition. Therefore, we call on the Kurdistan authorities to respect the laws and conventions that protect the rights and lives of journalists.

Joey Haddad said: “We hold the Kurdistan authorities responsible for any harm that befalls Suleiman Ahmed.”

These practices against journalists cannot be tolerated, and all parties involved in their kidnapping must be held accountable, whether armed, governmental, or criminal. The international community must provide protection for journalists during their work to ensure their safety from any dangers.

The recurrence of kidnappings of journalists is a dangerous phenomenon that threatens their freedom, and everyone must cooperate to combat it and ensure the safety, freedom, and mobility of journalists at work.

T/ Satt.

ANHA