The Absence of "HRD" in Iraq’s 2025 Parliament

The brief situates this absence within a broader context marked by declining voter turnout, the withdrawal of protest movements from the electoral process, and the consolidation of influence by traditional forces and actors with a security-oriented discourse within parliament. This development coincides with the end of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), and the resulting decline in direct international oversight. IOHR argues that this convergence creates a dual accountability gap—both domestic and international—heightening the risk that violations will be normalized and treated as internal matters shielded from scrutiny.

A Concerning Trajectory Restricting Freedom of Expression in Iraq

The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights (IOHR) stated that recent developments in several Iraqi governorates reveal a deeply concerning trajectory toward increasing restrictions on freedom of expression. This trend is marked by the use of legal, judicial, and administrative tools to punish peaceful opinion, human rights advocacy, workplace criticism, and political expression—signaling a serious regression in constitutional guarantees of public freedoms.

Iraqi Authorities Must Open an Urgent Investigation into the Assassination of a HRD in Wasit

IOHR also warns that this crime will have a direct impact on the atmosphere of the upcoming parliamentary elections, creating an environment of fear and intimidation among voters, candidates, and civic actors. Elections cannot be conducted safely or freely when calls for reform and justice are met with bullets, and when those who defend rights are forced to pay for their work with their lives.

"TISHREEN" Protests: VICTIMS WITHOUT JUSTICE PERPETRATORS UNPUNISHED

The Iraqi government must take urgent steps to end the phenomenon of impunity and ensure that all those involved in the crimes committed against the protesters are pursued, whether they are members of the security forces or other entities.

PM Al- Sudani Must Investigate the Assaults on Protesters in Baghdad

The Freedom of Expression Coalition strongly condemns this blatant violation of human rights, considering it a clear infringement on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly—rights that are enshrined in Article 38 of the Iraqi Constitution and are protected under international standards to which Iraq is obligated. The Coalition calls for an immediate and independent investigation into these incidents and demands that those responsible for these violations be held accountable. Failure to address this impunity will inevitably lead to further abuses.

The Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression in Iraq

Sponsored by the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights and managed by partner organizations; the Coalition aims at protecting human rights, while creating remarkable space for holding discussions with the state bodies in order to fill the gap that was deepened all along the last two decades, while moving from acts of banishment and antagonism into mechanisms of discussion and finding commons.

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq ought to redress a journalist who uncovered the medical errors debacle

Arbitrary arrests over “low-quality content” may pave way for restricting freedoms

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF AN IRAQ ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST RAISES CONCERN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS