KHRP strongly condemns the recent gun attack on the Asuda Women’s shelter in Sulemanya, Kurdistan, Iraq.

The shelter, one of only a handful operating in Iraq, came under a hail of gunfire on the night of 11 May 2008 by unidentified gunmen. One woman, a resident of the shelter and mother of three, was seriously injured and remains in hospital following emergency surgery.

Asuda had been subject to numerous threats due to its protection of victims of domestic violence and ‘honour’ related crimes. This, however, was the first direct attack against the shelter.

On hearing news of the attack, KHRP Deputy Director Rachel Bernu today stated: “As KHRP’s recent research has underlined, the work of such organisations as Asuda is of enormous importance in Kurdistan, Iraq, where ‘honour’-related crimes, abuse, and violence against women, are widespread. NGOs and civil society organisations in Kurdistan, Iraq, must be able to operate in an environment free from violence and intimidation, and it is the responsibility of the Kurdish authorities to ensure this. KHRP calls on the authorities to conduct a full and prompt investigation of this appalling attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.”