The Kurdistan Free Women's Movement (RJAK) released a statement drawing attention to the increasing violence and sexual assaults against women in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

“The situation of women in South Kurdistan has grown worse and worse after Raperin (popular uprising against the Baath regime on 5 March 1991). Subjected to violence or killed under various pretexts, women are drawn into psychological pressure while male perpetrators are protected,” said the RJAK statement on Monday.

RJAK pointed to the several cases of femicide and violence against women since the beginning of the year, which, however, were ignored.

“On some occasions, perpetrators are released after a short period of imprisonment. Laws are not respected and are replaced by tribal domination and mediation by parties and families.”

The statement continued: “Sexual assault, breach of human dignity and countless cases of torture and murder are covered up by legal centers, human rights and civil society organizations. This is one of the reasons for the increase in violence, which is largely justified by various motives such as honor and religion.”

“Women should get organized against untransparent and insufficient solutions. With all their religious, ideological and political differences, women should take action to stop this repressive system. Perpetrators of femicide should be sentenced in accordance with law to ensure that women are not tyrannized or treated as second-class citizens.”