UNAMI Voices Concern Over Sentencing of Journalist Sherwan Sherwani

PUKMEDIA

Sherwan Sherwani.

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has raised concerns regarding the decision of the Bnaslawa Misdemeanour Court in Erbil, which on 19 August 2025 sentenced journalist Sherwan Sherwani to four and a half years in prison.

In a statement, UNAMI said it was troubled that the ruling against Sherwani “may be disproportionate” and warned that its application “may be arbitrary”. UNAMI further noted that the court had not provided a convincing justification for the “aggravating circumstances” cited in its decision.

The sentence remains open to appeal. UNAMI, which attended the court hearing, confirmed it will continue to monitor developments in the case.

The mission also emphasised the Kurdistan Regional Government’s stated commitment to the rule of law and human rights, urging the authorities to guarantee that all criminal proceedings are conducted transparently and fairly, in line with both national legislation and international standards.



PUKMEDIA