IRAQI PRESIDENCY On Saturday, December 12, 2020, the President of the Republic of Iraq, Barham Salih, announced that Iraq was heading into a new, greener era during a speech at the UN-organized Climate Ambition Summit 2020. Iraq would do much more to support renewable energies and reduce carbon emissions and other pollution, President Salih said. This […]
A Roundtable between Civil Society Organizations and local authorities On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day On the International Human Rights Day, Al-Mesalla Organization in the Civil Society Service Center (CSSC)-Erbil conducted a roundtable to discuss Education during COVID-19. The main objectives of the roundtable were, highlighting the challenges faced the Education system […]
A Journalist Remains Imprisoned in the Kurdistan Region
Sherwan Sherwani, a freelance journalist, is still imprisoned in the Kurdistan Region after Asayish forces arrested him more than two months ago. His fate remains unknown. The regional government arrested Sherwani because of his reports which shed light on the deterioration of living situation in the region, and his disclosure of rampant corruption within the […]
Media Observation Report on Iraqi Press Violations 2020
Press Freedom Advocacy Association in Iraq The year 2020 was different at all levels, but for the press scene in Iraq, not much has changed in terms of the violations affecting them, despite the Corona pandemic which remains the main concern of the world and the crises it has caused in various fields, violations continue. […]
GCHR’s Tenth Periodic Report on Violations During Popular Demonstrations
Gulf Centre for Human Rights This is the tenth periodic report of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) about violations during popular demonstrations in Iraq. This report sheds light on killings, abductions, prosecution and intimidation by filing lawsuits against human rights activists and protesters in Iraq. Activists taking part in the demonstrations are still […]
Iraq Closes Land Borders, Restaurants with New Anti-Virus Measures
Al-monitor The federal Iraqi government is also barring travelers from the UK, Iran and several other countries. The Iraqi government announced a series of strict measures to combat COVID-19 on Tuesday. All land border crossings, restaurants and malls will be closed for two weeks starting on Thursday, the federal government announced on Twitter. The government also […]
GCHR Honours Human Rights Defenders in Iraq at its Second Annual Awards Ceremony
Gulf Center For Human Rights Baghdad – On International Human Rights Day, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) honoured human rights defenders in Iraq at its second annual awards ceremony, which was named in honour of researcher and journalist Dr. Hisham Al-Hashemi. The ceremony was held online, according to health protocols and in order to preserve […]
Angry Demonstrations are Spreading from Sulaymaniyah Province to the Neighboring Cities and Areas
A new round of protests began on December 2 in Sulaymaniyah Governorate and cities surrounding the city of Sulaymaniyah. Demonstrators gathered to protest poor public services, lack of job opportunities, postponement of school openings, salary cuts, and the deterioration of the economic situation. Also the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) has failed to reach agreement with […]
Scrap Bill to Restrict Free Speech.. Lawmakers to Decide on Abusive Cybercrimes Measure
Human Rights Watch Iraqi lawmakers are considering a draft law on information technology crimes that could be used to stifle free expression, Human Rights Watch said today. Free speech is already under attack in Iraq, and on November 23, 2020 lawmakers discussed this draft law and planned to hold a second reading during the week of November 29. […]
End Impunity for Murders.. Release All Kidnapped and Detained Peaceful Activists
Amnesty Eight organizations released the following statement today calling on the Iraqi government to investigate the detention of activists and others since the start of the 2019 protests and to free all those held arbitrarily for peaceful protests: As we mark International Human Rights Day on December 10, the undersigned organizations call on the Iraqi […]
The Iraqi government prepared a proposal to resolve the water issue with Turkey
Shafaq News The Iraqi Minister of Water Resources, Mahdi Rashid Al-Hamdani, stressed on Monday that “courtesy” is not allowed at the expense of Iraq’s water rights, pledging to provide the water requirements of the Iraqi farmer for the current and the upcoming seasons. Al-Hamdani said in a press conference he held earlier today, “the ministry […]
After failing to pass a cybercrimes law during the governments of al-Maliki, al-Abadi and Abdul-Mahdi, the Iraqi parliament is trying yet again and is ready to vote. Critics consider it an attempt to deny freedoms, silence journalists and dissidents, and exempt politicians from criticism and accountability. Supporters say it is necessary to ensure national security […]