Peregraf — A report by Peregraf has won second prize in the annual Human Rights Journalism Competition organized by Radio Dang, recognizing outstanding reporting on human rights issues across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
The awards were presented today during a ceremony in the Kalar district for the 2025 winners of the competition, which is supported by the National Endowment for Democracy and is now in its tenth consecutive year.
Peregraf’s winning report, titled "I Have Been Pierced by Mines; The Lingering Threat of War Remnants Endangers Civilians," was prepared by journalist Ghamgin Mohammed, who received the award during the ceremony.
The report focused on the continued danger posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance across the Kurdistan Region, highlighting the human cost faced by civilians living near contaminated areas.
Through personal testimonies and official data, the report documented how war remnants continue to kill and injure civilians years after conflict has ended, particularly in border districts such as Penjwen in Sulaymaniyah province.
Competition Results
Azad Osman, Director of Radio Dang, said 18 participants submitted 17 reports from 12 different media outlets.
The submissions included reports from four television stations, one newspaper, and 13 digital media platforms. Among them were nine written reports and eight video reports.
First place went to the report "Cyber-violence: A Silent Weapon Against Iraqi Women," prepared by journalist Laila Ahmed for the KirkukNow website.
Third place was awarded to "Cradle Marriage and Its Consequences," prepared by journalist Farman Chomani for Zoom News.
About Peregraf’s Report
The award-winning Peregraf report told the story of Parwin Hussein, a mother from Penjwen who lost both of her sons in separate landmine explosions seven years apart.
Her sons, Salah Rafiq and Saman Rafiq, were killed while collecting scrap metal and wild herbs in mine-contaminated areas near the Iranian border.
The report also highlighted that landmine casualties have increased this year, with 22 civilian victims recorded so far — eight killed and 14 injured — according to the General Directorate of Mine Action.
Officials say around 200 square kilometers of land in the Kurdistan Region remain contaminated by mines, with 60 percent located in Sulaymaniyah province.
The report further examined the limited compensation available to civilian survivors and the ongoing demand for stronger legal protections for mine clearance workers.
The recognition marks another milestone for Peregraf’s investigative and human rights journalism efforts.