Kurdistan Society Freedom Movement (Tevgera Azadî) condemned Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council’s decision to close the party, pledging to appeal the ruling. At a press conference on Tuesday evening, the co-chairs criticised the lack of official notification, stating they learned of the closure through social media. Co-chair Tara Husen expressed shock, highlighting that Tevgera Azadî, established in 2014, is “officially recognised by the Iraqi Political Affairs Organisation and the High Electoral Commission.”
The closure, announced on Monday, also affects the Yazidi Freedom and Democracy Party (PADÊ) and the Party of the Democratic Struggle (PTD), with the Council citing alleged affiliations with the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The judicial decision mandates the closure of all offices and the seizure of properties and assets of the three parties.
“We believe that this is a political case against us,” Husen said and stated that the decision lacks legal grounding and raises questions over the judiciary’s impartiality, as there was “a lack of evidence”.
On the alleged affiliation with the PKK, she noted that the Freedom Movement has “never received any financial support from any forces, organisations, or parties beyond the support and membership fees from its own members” and has a “transparent and clear financial system”.
“Those who support the occupation of Kurdistan must be held accountable,” Husen continued, calling on the President and Prime Minister of Iraq to “prove that the Freedom Movement has committed any illegal acts”. Highlighting her party’s stance towards the Iraqi government, she added, “In truth, we oppose any foreign forces working against Iraq’s sovereignty.”
Tara Husen concluded that the Freedom Movement is “a civil, democratic, and legitimate force, ready to legally defend ourselves against any accusations” and called the ban a “political decision based on false information and supported by external forces and betrayal”.
