Female Journalist in Iraq Abducted by Armed Individuals

Iraqi officials said on Tuesday, December 27, that a number of armed individuals, who introduced themselves as security agents, stormed the home of Afrah Shouqi, a journalist and human rights activist critical of armed groups, and abducted her. According to Agence France-Presse, Ziad Al-Ajili, head of the Journalistic Freedom Observatory, stated that Ms. Shouqi was kidnapped on Monday by eight individuals who invaded her home in the Saydiyah neighborhood in southern Baghdad. Al-Ajili told the news agency that these individuals 'bound her son's hands, and after stealing Ms. Afrah's mobile phone, computer, and money, took her with them.' This report was also confirmed by a source in the Iraqi Ministry of Interior who wished to remain anonymous. Afrah Shouqi, 43, is a journalist for the Arabic-language newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, which is based in London; she is also a human rights activist in Iraq. Before her abduction, Ms. Shouqi had criticized in a series of articles on news websites that some armed groups in Iraq 'can act without legal accountability and with complete impunity.' Reports indicate that Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, condemned this kidnapping and ordered his country's security services to make every effort to find Afrah Shouqi and punish the kidnappers. Meanwhile, the organization Reporters Without Borders also urged Mr. Abadi to 'stand by his word and find Afrah Shouqi as quickly as possible.' Reporters Without Borders also reminded the Iraqi government of its duty to improve the conditions for journalists in Iraq. Iraq, alongside Syria, Afghanistan, and Mexico, is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. In the past year, seven journalists have been killed in Iraq, and according to Reporters Without Borders, Iraq ranks 158th out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom.