The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights regrets the tragic incident that claimed the life of young journalist Laith Mohammed Redha on March 12, 2025, following a brawl that escalated into the use of firearms. This incident reflects the growing threat posed by the uncontrolled proliferation of weapons in Iraqi society.
IOHR
14-03-2025, 15:23
Although his death was not linked to his journalistic work, it highlights the alarming reality that any individual in Iraq can fall victim to a minor altercation that turns fatal due to the widespread availability and reckless use of firearms.
The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights states that this crime, like many before it, reflects a fundamental crisis in the rule of law and the absence of strict regulations on firearm possession, whether by armed factions or civilians.
The widespread availability of firearms, even under so-called legal permits, poses a direct threat to public safety and fuels societal violence. At the same time, the presence of weapons in the hands of armed groups outside state control further undermines the authority of official institutions and fosters a climate of intimidation and lawlessness.
Over the years, hundreds of violent deaths have occurred in Iraq due to the misuse of firearms, yet most of these incidents go unnoticed by the public or media.
They are often dismissed as isolated events, especially when the victims are ordinary citizens with no public profile. However, the killing of journalist Laith Mohammed Redha has drawn attention precisely because of his media presence, serving as a wake-up call to the severity of the crisis. This incident should not be seen as an exception but as further evidence of the state's failure to ensure security, protect the right to life, and enforce the rule of law.
Gun violence in Iraq is no longer confined to political or sectarian conflicts; it has become a widespread phenomenon affecting everyday disputes, from personal altercations to tribal conflicts, which frequently escalate into deadly shootouts due to the ease of firearm access. This reality has fostered a climate of fear and imposed a culture where the logic of brute force dominates public life. Iraqi citizens today live under constant threat, whether in the streets or even within their own homes, as unchecked firearm possession continues to fuel a cycle of violence and bloodshed.
The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights reaffirms that the right to life is a fundamental human right enshrined in international human rights conventions. The continued presence of weapons in the hands of both individuals and armed factions constitutes a direct violation of this right and undermines efforts to build a state governed by the rule of law.
The proliferation of firearms, even under official permits, is just as dangerous as illegal arms trafficking, particularly in the absence of stringent oversight and accountability. The current security situation demonstrates that firearm possession is no longer restricted to legitimate self-defense but has become a tool for escalating societal, familial, and personal disputes—leading to rising rates of unlawful killings.
The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights urges Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani's government to take decisive and immediate measures to curb this chaos by enforcing stricter firearm licensing regulations, revoking permits that do not meet rigorous criteria, and launching a comprehensive national campaign to disarm individuals and unauthorized groups, ensuring that weapons are exclusively controlled by official state institutions.
Additionally, it calls for an independent judicial system capable of holding perpetrators accountable, rather than relying on tribal settlements that perpetuate a culture of impunity and reinforce the dominance of force over justice.
Failure to address this crisis will only lead to continued daily bloodshed—often unnoticed unless the victim is a public figure. However, human rights are not selective, and the right to life must be safeguarded for all, regardless of their status or profession.
The Iraqi state must assume its responsibility to enforce the rule of law and dismantle the armed chaos that has turned firearms into an instrument of death rather than protection. The lives of Iraqis must not be expendable, and the government must act before the next tragedy unfolds.
