ICSSI Echoes the Call by Humat Dijla & the PIHN Campaign
In light of the recent alarming developments, the Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI) fully supports and echoes the statements released by Save the Tigris, Humat Dijla Organization, and the Protect Iraqi Human Rights Defenders Now Campaign, condemning the arbitrary detention of climate and environmental activist Murtadha Al-Janoubi and several demonstrators in Maysan.
These detentions, following peaceful protests demanding fair access to water for the Al-Musharrah River and the marshes, represent a grave escalation in the criminalization of environmental advocacy and a direct threat to civic space and fundamental freedoms in Iraq.
At a time of conflict, insecurity, and compounding crises, activists defending water, land, and community rights are increasingly exposed to intimidation and repression. As an international civil society network, ICSSI stresses that these violations must be closely monitored and publicly addressed. Iraqi environmental and human rights defenders must not be left isolated – international solidarity is essential to ensure their protection and to uphold their right to speak out without fear.
Below, we reproduce in full the statements issued by Humat Dijla / Save the Tigris and by the Protect Iraqi Human Rights Defenders Now! Campaign.
Statement issued by the Humat Dijlah Association
We strongly condemn the crime of arbitrary arrest carried out against the human rights defender and environmental activist Murtada Al-Janoubi in the city of Al-Mashrah, in Maysan Governorate, following his participation in a peaceful demonstration demanding the legitimate right to water. We consider this action a blatant violation of fundamental freedoms, foremost among them the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly.
What is happening can only be described as a systematic effort to undermine human rights and target those who defend them, as well as a desperate attempt to silence free voices calling for dignity, justice, and a decent life. Demanding access to water is neither a luxury nor a marginal demand; it is a fundamental right intrinsically linked to the rights to life, health, and human dignity. Under no circumstances should it be turned into a criminal charge or used as a pretext for arrest and prosecution.
Defending water resources in the face of the severe environmental crises affecting vast areas of southern Iraq is both a national and moral duty. It is a legitimate civic act that reflects social awareness and a strong sense of responsibility- not a crime punishable by law. The imprisonment of peaceful activists constitutes a grave insult to the integrity of justice and a deliberate distortion of the image of the state and its institutions.
We affirm that remaining silent in the face of these violations amounts to indirect complicity. Silence will neither conceal the scale of the injustice being committed nor erase the reality of the deliberate targeting of human rights defenders.
Accordingly, we clearly and unequivocally demand the following:
- The immediate and unconditional release of human rights defender Murtada Al-Janoubi and all his colleagues arbitrarily detained.
- The immediate cessation of all forms of harassment and persecution against peaceful activists.
- Full respect for freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful protest.
- The provision of legal and institutional protection for human rights defenders, rather than their prosecution.
The continuation of these repressive policies poses a serious threat to social peace, undermines the foundations of justice and stability, and deepens the gap of mistrust between citizens and state institutions. Safeguarding rights and freedoms is not a secondary option, but a constitutional and moral obligation that cannot be compromised or postponed.
We hold the relevant authorities full responsibility – legally and morally – for the safety of the detainees. We affirm that these violations will not pass without accountability, and that the voice of truth will remain stronger than any attempt at repression or silencing.
Urgent Statement: Condemning the Arrest of Environmental Activist Murtadha Al-Janoubi and Demonstrators in Maysan – PIHN – Protect Iraqi Human Rights Defenders Now! Campaign.
Date: March 4, 2026
Amarah, Iraq – The undersigned organizations strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest of prominent environmental activist Murtadha Al-Janoubi and several other demonstrators, who were detained this morning in Al-Musharrah town, south of Amarah in Maysan Governorate.
These arrests occurred following the detainees’ participation in peaceful demonstrations demanding sufficient and fair water quotas for the Al-Musharrah River and the marshes, which have been suffering from severe drought for weeks, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of families and the ecological fabric of the region.
Environmental activist Murtadha Al-Janoubi, known for his continuous advocacy for Iraq’s marshes and the rights of local communities affected by water and oil policies, was among the organizers of these peaceful demonstrations. He has been transferred to the main riot police station in downtown Amarah, while intervention attempts by tribal leaders have so far been unsuccessful in securing his release.
We emphasize that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Iraqi Constitution and international human rights conventions. Suppressing voices demanding fundamental rights, such as the right to water and a healthy environment, constitutes a blatant violation of these principles.
Therefore, we call upon the Iraqi authorities to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release environmental activist Murtadha Al-Janoubi and all arrested demonstrators.
- Ensure their physical and psychological safety and treat them in accordance with international legal standards.
- Respond to the legitimate demands of the demonstrators by providing adequate water for the Al-Musharrah River and the marshes, and finding sustainable solutions to the water crisis in the region.
- Respect and protect citizens’ right to peaceful expression and demonstration without fear of repression or arrest.
We urge the international community, human rights and environmental organizations, and media outlets to exert pressure on the Iraqi government to ensure the release of the detainees and the protection of environmental defenders in Iraq.
