VIII. Acknowledgments

The report was written by a researcher in the Middle East and North Africa Division of Human Rights Watch. Research assistance was provided by a consultant. It was edited by Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of the Middle East and North Africa division, and Ian Gorvin, senior program officer in the Program Office. Clive Baldwin, senior legal advisor, conducted legal review. Human Rights Watch associates Nadia Barhoum and Brent Giannotta assisted with production. Grace Choi, publications director, provided production coordination, and Amr Khairy, translations coordinator, reviewed the Arabic translation.

This report would not have been possible without the assistance of the various Kurdish activists and lawyers who agreed to provide us with information. Their courage to continue promoting human rights despite the ongoing campaign of harassment against them is an inspiration. To protect them from any retaliation, their names have been withheld.