News Center — The human rights scene in Kurdistan is witnessing escalating tensions with growing disagreements over the protection of activists and the guarantee of civil work independence, amid demands to strengthen mechanisms for defending women's rights and confronting smear campaigns targeting women leaders and institutions concerned with justice and equality.

The Kurdistan Women's Alliance, with the support of the March 8 Network, the Defenders Protection Committee, the Joint Network of Organizations, and a number of women figures and activists, issued a statement regarding attempts to suppress the voice of women's protection, freedom, and rights against the President of the Kurdistan Women's Union and Director of the Eimi Human Development Organization.

The statement read: "As the Kurdistan Women's Alliance, we affirm that we will continue our struggle to entrench the principles of the rule of law, justice, and the protection of women's rights. These deceptive attacks are part of an indirect attempt to silence the voice of women's freedom and distort the history of women fighters in this field."

The statement affirmed that, according to the Union's internal constitution, protecting the status, dignity, and security of all members—especially the Union's leadership—is a fundamental duty, and any violation committed against any Union member is considered a direct assault on the institution, the Alliance's principles, and the work of Kurdistan's women. "We condemn the unprofessional approach of some media outlets and social media pages that spread false news and attempt to distort the image of civil society activists, without adhering to the truth and only for narrow media purposes."

The statement noted that "the history of women's work in Kurdistan has always been full of facing immense challenges, but our women have never retreated in any difficult time. These pressures and obstacles do not weaken our will; on the contrary, they increase our determination to achieve social justice and protect women's rights."

The Alliance expressed in its statement its full support for the Union's President, Ms. Bahar Ali, affirming that it will continue its efforts to protect women's dignity and rights and confront any deceptive attempts without interruption or fatigue.

It is worth noting that yesterday, upon the request of a number of individuals, an arrest warrant was issued in Erbil against Bahar Ali, a women's rights activist and Director of the "Eimi" Organization. After appearing before the judge and complying with legal instructions, she was released on bail. Bahar Ali had opposed the amendment to the Iraqi Personal Status Law.