Peregraf— Press freedom organizations and activists marked the 16th anniversary of the assassination of Sardasht Osman, renewing demands to reveal those responsible for his killing and to improve conditions for journalists in the Kurdistan Region.
On May 3, 2010, Osman, then 23, was abducted in front of Salahaddin University in Erbil, where he was a student. Two days later, his body was found near Mosul with gunshot wounds to the head.
The circumstances of his abduction and killing — including how he was transported across multiple checkpoints — have raised longstanding questions that remain unanswered.
“A Wound That Is Not Forgotten”
The Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights and Advocacy described Osman’s killing as “a wound that is not forgotten and does not heal,” emphasizing the continued struggle for accountability.
In a statement, the organization said Osman’s case symbolizes broader challenges facing press freedom, including impunity, pressure on media outlets, and risks faced by journalists.
It also criticized what it described as a lack of legal accountability and increasing restrictions on independent journalism in the Kurdistan Region.
Calls to Release Imprisoned Journalists
Both the Metro Center and Community Peacemaker Teams called for the release of imprisoned journalists, including Sherwan Sherwani, who is currently on a hunger strike.
They warned that the situation of press freedom remains fragile, citing arrests, media closures, and legal pressures against journalists and activists.
Unresolved Case, Ongoing Demands
Despite multiple official explanations over the years, Osman’s family and rights groups have rejected those accounts, leading to continued public skepticism.
Rights organizations say the failure to bring those responsible to justice reflects broader concerns over impunity and the rule of law.
On this anniversary, activists reiterated calls for:
• Identifying and prosecuting those behind Osman’s killing
• Releasing detained journalists and activists
• Strengthening protections for freedom of expression
Sixteen years after his death, Sardasht Osman remains a symbol of press freedom and the risks faced by journalists in the region.
His case continues to be cited by advocacy groups as a reminder of the need for accountability and reform in the media environment.