Observatory: security forces prevented journalists from covering demonstrations in Basra in southern Iraq without justification

by **RamblerNash** Sun May 22, 2016 10:48 pm

Observatory: security forces prevented journalists from covering demonstrations in Basra in southern Iraq without justification

Sun, 22 May 2016 13:19:20

BAGHDAD - observer news

Security forces prevented the agency correspondent Online and in Turkish in Basra colleague Fouad Hilfi from covering a peaceful demonstration organized by a number of citizens before the Board of City Hall yesterday afternoon Saturday, 05.21.2016.

Hilfi said the representative of the Iraqi Observatory press freedoms in Basra awaited Bakhit Alkrcoche "He is aware of the demonstration in front of the Court of the province of Basra building went to cover but he was surprised by preventing him from filming and conducting interviews with demonstrators.

He Agency correspondent Online In "The brigadier continued to regiment to protect the governorate building prevented me from filming and asked me to obtain official approvals from leading operations, something new and practice in the coverage of the previous demonstrations, and drew Hilfi that he" made contact with the Basra police media director the officer who happens to prevent the shooting refused to talk with the police officer, the media and asked me to leave the place immediately, at the disposal of weird is not consistent with the principles of press freedom and the Constitution, which guaranteed the right of access to information for journalists.

Almost an hour after the incident to prevent Hilfi from covering the demonstration, aware of the Iraqi Observatory press freedoms and security forces dispersed the crowds of demonstrators, journalists and the media.

The observatory is this procedure a serious indicator of the suppression of freedoms and silencing free voices to claim their rights, and demands Observatory governmental bodies in cooperation with the media to show the truth does not prevent them from carrying out their work which is guaranteed by international law and the Iraqi constitution.

LINK