PUK Clarifies Position on Chawder Agency and Reaffirms Commitment to Press Freedom

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The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's (PUK) Political Bureau has issued a statement following the retrieval of Chawder Agency's headquarters. The statement reads: "We reject all rumors of military forces moving in to retake the headquarters. This attempt has nothing to do with free expression or opposing free ideas. Instead, the PUK has, and will continue to, defend press freedom and expand democratic borders."

The following is the full statement from the PUK’s Political Bureau:

"Since its founding, the Chawder Agency has operated with financial support from the PUK. However, Malla Bakhtiar is no longer a member of the PUK, and it has become apparent that the headquarters of the institution will not be handed over, as he does not wish to continue his work with the PUK. As the PUK owns both the agency’s headquarters and its land, we consider it our legitimate right to attempt a peaceful takeover of the Chawder Agency's headquarters, free from any type of conflict. The PUK's unwavering strategy has been, and will continue to be, promoting press freedom and broadening the scope of democracy; it has nothing to do with opposing free thought or expression. Sulaymaniyah is the cultural capital of Kurdistan and the center of free expression and cultural activity. The credit also goes to the PUK, which has always been on that battlefield. This initiative is a continuation of the PUK's efforts to reorganize its institutions and better serve Kurdistan and its citizens. We reject any rumors about the movement of armed forces to retake the headquarters.

Unfortunately, the Kurdish people are being misled, and the truth is being distorted by the media of the ruling wing of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. Therefore, if they care about press and opinion freedom, we ask them to free the activists and journalists imprisoned in Erbil and Badinan’s dark prisons. Your crocodile tears are not needed by Sulaymaniyah; instead, you should take a lesson in freedom and democracy from the proud people of the city."



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