Imprisoned Journalist Sherwan Sherwani Honored at Sulaymaniyah's 'Guardians of Truth' Monument

Peregraf- Imprisoned journalist Sherwan Sherwani and Iraqi journalist Anas Adil Karim were honored during a ceremony at the "Guardians of Truth" Monument in Sulaymaniyah, attended by Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The event coincided with renewed concern over Sherwani's health as his hunger strike entered its third week.

"Prison Is Not the Place for Journalists"

Speaking to reporters during the ceremony, Talabani said: "Sherwan Sherwani has been treated unjustly. I have always maintained that prison is not the place for journalists."

He added that Sherwani's selection for the award followed evaluations by media professionals and experts who considered him deserving of recognition.

Talabani also described Sulaymaniyah as "the freest province in all of Iraq," stating that violations by authorities or security forces are publicly challenged by journalists, organizations, and public figures.

"The enemies of freedom are those who fear liberty and criticism and stand against transparency and facts," he said.

Talabani’s remarks come at a time when Zoom TV — affiliated with Lahur Sheikh Jangi — remains seized by security forces in Sulaymaniyah and has not been returned to its management since the August 22, 2025 clashes at Lalazar Hotel. Critics and press freedom advocates have cited the case as another example of ongoing disputes over media freedom and political pressure in the Kurdistan Region.

Sherwani Hunger Strike Continues

Sherwani's hunger strike began on April 22, 2026, coinciding with Kurdish Journalism Day.

His legal team says the strike is a protest against repeated denials of his legal right to temporary home leave despite provisions under Iraqi law.

Lawyer Mohammed Abdullah warned that Sherwani's health has deteriorated significantly.

"His health is now at serious risk," Abdullah said.

Years of Legal Cases

Sherwani has faced multiple convictions since the Badinan arrests in 2020:

2021: Six-year sentence on charges of "destabilizing regional security," later reduced by presidential decree.
2023: An initial four-year sentence — later reduced to two years on appeal — on document falsification charges.
2025: Four years and five months in additional imprisonment in a third case criticized by rights groups over insufficient evidence.

International organizations including the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have raised concerns over Sherwani's cases and called for greater press freedom protections in the Kurdistan Region.

The "Guardians of Truth" Monument

The "Guardians of Truth" Monument in Sulaymaniyah was officially inaugurated to commemorate journalists killed in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region since 2003.

The monument carries the names of 551 journalists killed over the past two decades.

According to the monument's official data:

Baghdad recorded the highest number of journalist killings with 286 deaths.
Nineveh followed with 102 deaths.
Saladin Governorate recorded 28 deaths.

In Kurdish areas:

Kirkuk recorded 23 journalist killings.
Erbil recorded 12.
Sulaymaniyah recorded 5.

The monument was unveiled on September 14, 2024, at Azadi Park in Sulaymaniyah.