Heavy Sentences Issued by Education Department Against 47 Active Teachers in Kurdistan

Following increased pressure on teachers' union activists in Kurdistan, on Sunday, February 14, the Education Department of Kurdistan Province issued heavy sentences against 47 active teachers. According to the Kurdish human rights organization Kurdpa, these sentences, which were issued after the nationwide protests of 2022 and the widespread crackdown on schools and teachers' union activists in Kurdistan, include rank cuts, suspension from service, dismissal, and other severe punishments. Reports indicate that at least 13 female teachers and 34 male teachers have been targeted by these sentences. In total, 27 teachers faced rank cuts, ten were dismissed, six were suspended from government service, and four were sentenced to forced retirement. Additionally, four received written reprimands, four had their salaries reduced, two were sentenced to exile, and one was deprived of sensitive and managerial positions. In an open letter from teachers in Kurdistan published on January 26, 2024, reference is made to the 'widespread crackdown on teachers following the Women, Life, Freedom uprising.' This letter includes reports of 700 instances of salary deductions, 47 cases of deprivation of ranking rights, dismissals, and the issuance of suspension, exile, and forced retirement sentences for teachers. In this letter, teachers addressed the critical state of education in the province and the severe pressures on teachers' union activists, calling on officials to address these repressive sentences. Teachers' union activists also cited multiple instances of repression against teachers in previous years, including the formation of committees to suppress teachers' protests, pressure tactics, numerous arrests of teachers, and illegal actions to limit teachers' ranking rights. According to teachers' union activists, these sentences and actions have not only impacted teachers' rights but have also severely affected the state of education in Kurdistan.