Four Kurdish activists named Masoud Ali Haci, Bendewar Eyub, Karger Abbas Ali and Şerwan Teha Emîn were imprisoned June 2020 by a court in Iraqi Kurdistan.
The second hearing of the trial of the four activists was seen in Erbil (Hewlêr) Court on Monday, but the hearing was adjourned on the grounds that the chief judge of the court was to be replaced.
Speaking after the hearing, Beşdar Hesen, the lawyer representing the four activists shared the news that his clients had decided to launch a death fast for a fair trial while also demanding an end to the violations of human and prisoners rights they have been subjected to, according to ANHA.
“Prisoners say their situation is grim and that they are not allowed to talk to members of their own families. They say that the guards treat them dreadfully and that this is against all human rights declared by laws,” he said.
Beşdar also spoke about the offences the four activists are charged with: “These prisoners have been arrested on charges of trying to form groups and organisations. They also say that these individuals have been arrested for disturbing the security of the Kurdistan Region.”
“However,” he added, “these claims do not reflect the truth, because these people only wanted freedom.”
The lawyer also shared information that Şerwan Teha Emîn’s mother lost her life on Sunday, but his client has not been able to learn the news about the death of his mother yet.
Kamran Osman, Representative of the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) said: “To communicate with the outside world, we are launching a death fast” said all four prisoners shouting in the courtroom.”
Osman called on the Iraqi Kurdistan goverment to act against violations of prisoners human rights.
“The Federal Kurdistan Government and Court of Appeal should immediately review their case and free the activists,” he said.
“Even if these activists had been even actually guilty, still it would be their right to see their lawyers and families. The current treatment of prisoners is unlawful.”
