In this report, IOHR monitors widespread arbitrary arrests and raids targeting demonstrators and activists in Wasit Governorate following popular protests demanding electricity. The report documents the forceful dispersal of protests, injuries, and warrantless arrests amid threats and crackdowns that forced dozens to flee, warning against repeating 2019 violations.
27 june, 2026
The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights (IOHR) stated that Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi must urgently intervene to halt the campaigns of arrests and raids targeting demonstrators and activists in Wasit Governorate. IOHR emphasized the need to ensure that security forces adhere to Iraqi law and respect citizens' constitutional rights to peacefully express their opinions and demands.
IOHR expressed deep concern over the escalating security measures accompanying the popular protests in the center of Kut. These protests erupted to demand an increase in the governorate’s share of electricity. The IOHR stressed that resorting to arrests and raids will not resolve the crisis; instead, it will heighten tensions and undermine trust between citizens and state institutions.
Testimonies from the Ground
An activist participating in the protests told the IOHR:
"Since the protests began, we have been subjected to smear campaigns and incitement on social media, including explicit calls for our arrest and targeting. These campaigns have created an atmosphere of fear among participants. Simply expressing an opinion or taking part in a demonstration has become a reason for defamation or threats, in a clear attempt to deter citizens from exercising their constitutional rights."
Another demonstrator stated:
"There is an ongoing arrest campaign targeting protest participants, and many activists have left their homes for fear of prosecution. Some change their place of residence daily to avoid potential arrest warrants or sudden raids, while others live in constant anxiety over their safety and the safety of their families."
A third activist added:
"We are facing pressure from local officials and influential political forces, including threats of lawsuits to silence our voices and end the protests. These practices represent a blatant attempt to restrict freedom of expression and prevent citizens from demanding their legitimate rights guaranteed by the constitution."
Escalating Crackdowns and Documented Violations
According to the IOHR, security forces launched a widespread campaign of arrests and house raids at dawn on Friday following days of continuous demonstrations demanding improvements to the governorate's electricity supply. IOHR noted that the protests were forcefully dispersed, documenting dozens of injuries among demonstrators, alongside damage and destruction to some of their personal property during the dispersal.
Furthermore, the IOHR documented:
Six arrests, including the lawyer of one of the detainees.
Raids on approximately ten homes, including the residence of a university professor who participated in the protests.
Dozens of activists and participants forced to flee their homes and relocate to alternative sites out of fear of detention.
Two cases of arrest executed without judicial warrants, in flagrant violation of Iraqi law and due process.
IOHR noted that the actual number of detainees may be higher than documented, given the difficulty of reaching many protesters and the disappearance of several individuals since the security campaign began.
Constitutional Obligations and a Warning Against the Past
The IOHR emphasizes that under the Iraqi Constitution and its international human rights obligations, the Iraqi state is responsible for protecting peaceful demonstrators, ensuring their safety, and safeguarding their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly—rather than treating them as a security threat. Law enforcement must operate in accordance with legal procedures and respect constitutional guarantees, completely steering clear of arbitrary arrests or the use of excessive force.
IOHR warns against a repetition of the severe violations witnessed during the October 2019 protests, which resulted in the killing and injury of thousands of demonstrators, alongside kidnappings and targeted attacks on activists. Returning to such practices would mark a dangerous setback for human rights and the rule of law, severely undermining public trust in state institutions.
A Path Forward
IOHR believes that the government of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi faces a genuine opportunity to send a clear message to the Iraqi public: that peaceful protest is a guaranteed constitutional right, that the government is committed to protecting and respecting it, and that popular demands should be met with dialogue and serious action, not security crackdowns, intimidation, or harassment of activists.
The IOHR calls for completely sidelining political forces and armed factions from handling the protests. It stresses that the responsibility for maintaining security must be confined strictly to official, specialized institutions operating under the law and judicial oversight. Any intervention or influence by political or armed groups in managing the protests or dealing with participants must be prevented, given the grave danger it poses to the safety of protesters and the neutrality of state institutions.
Finally, the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights (IOHR) renews its call for the immediate release of all detainees who have not committed legally punishable offenses, the cessation of the raids and arrest campaigns targeting peaceful protesters, and the launching of independent investigations into all violations that accompanied the handling of demonstrators, holding those responsible accountable in line with the Iraqi Constitution and Iraq's international human rights commitments.
