Metro Center condemns PUK raid on Chawder Center HQ in Sulaimani

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The Metro Center for Defending Journalists’ Rights and Advocacy has strongly condemned the recent raid on the headquarters of the Chawder Network in Sulaimani, describing the move as a blow to the city’s reputation as a cultural capital.

Metro Center labeled the seizure of the cultural and media institution as a "misguided approach" to addressing internal disagreements.

On the night of September 5, forces affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) seized the premises of the Chawder Network, which houses several notable platforms, including Radio Madaniyat, the Galawezh website, the Chawder website, the Rwanga U Rexne (Perspective and Criticism) website, the Dabran Platform, the Chawder Sculpture Project, and the Chawder Gallery.

In a statement published by the PUK-affiliated website PUKMEDIA, the financial institutions of the PUK justified the action, claiming that the Chawder Center’s property, equipment, and resources were provided by the party.

The statement further explained that since the center’s director is no longer aligned with the PUK, the property was seized.

Metro Center’s Response

The Metro Center, an independent organization that defends press freedom, emphasized its opposition to any attempt to suppress, shut down, or interfere with civil, media, and cultural institutions.

In a statement, Metro Center reiterated its commitment to supporting freedom of expression, the right to diversity of opinion, and the rule of law.

“We strongly condemn the raid on the Chawder Center, which is led by Mullah Bakhtiar, a renowned intellectual and political figure. This action is not only a violation of civil rights but also a direct affront to the cultural standing of Sulaimani as a hub of intellectual thought,” the statement read.

The organization warned that such actions undermine the city’s image as a beacon of Kurdish culture and intellectualism.

"The raid marks a serious step backward in resolving disputes through constructive dialogue and respect for civil society," Metro Center stated.

Chawder’s Role in Cultural Life

The Chawder Center, under the leadership of Mala Bakhtiyar, has become a vital institution in the Kurdistan Region’s cultural landscape.

Beyond party politics, it has developed into a prominent platform for intellectual and cultural expression, a role Metro Center deems essential to preserving Sulaimani’s cultural heritage.

Metro Center stressed that Sulaimani, often referred to as the "capital of culture" in Kurdistan, is renowned for its support of freedom of expression and pluralism.

However, the organization voiced its concern that the city is now making headlines for the forcible closure of a civilian cultural institution by a political party's military wing, a member of the Socialist International.

Metro Center’s Background

Founded in 2009, the Metro Center has long been a vocal advocate for press freedom in the Kurdistan Region. It has published 13 reports on press freedom in collaboration with international organizations, including the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), International Media Support (IMS), and the Gulf Center for Human Rights.