The “Protect Iraqi Human Rights Defenders Now” campaign documented 44 different cases of violations against human rights defenders and civil activists in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, in its report published in October 2024. This report coincides with the fifth anniversary of the October Uprising and covers the period from July 2023 to June 2024. 

The campaign report highlights the significant deterioration in freedoms, as indicated by increasing restrictions on freedom of expression, arbitrary judicial actions, and harsh penalties against several civil society organizations. The report also sheds light on violations against the right to peaceful assembly and the continuous incitement against human rights defenders. 

The report concludes with a set of recommendations to the governments of Baghdad and Erbil, emphasizing the need to improve human rights conditions in line with the Iraqi Constitution and international commitments. The main recommendations include: 

1. Improving Human Rights Conditions: The Iraqi government must enhance human rights conditions according to the Iraqi Constitution and international agreements and hold those responsible for protester killings accountable. 

2. Protecting Human Rights Defenders: The government should take immediate steps to provide protection for human rights defenders and ensure that perpetrators of violations against them are held accountable to prevent future occurrences. 

3. Transparency in Investigations of Activist Assassinations: The report urges the government to announce the results of investigations into the assassinations of activists and human rights defenders and to keep the public informed about the details of these investigations. 

4. Halting Restrictions on Freedom of Expression: The Iraqi government is called upon to lift decisions blocking websites and prohibiting media appearances of journalists. 

5. Revisiting Restrictive Legislation: It is recommended that the Iraqi Parliament review recent amendments to laws limiting freedom of expression, as well as the draft law on “Freedom of Expression and Peaceful Assembly.” 

6. Ending Violations in the Kurdistan Region: The Kurdistan government is urged to stop violations against protesters and human rights defenders and to ensure protection for protesters and journalists. 

Finally, the report calls on Iraqi civil society and international allies to exert greater pressure to prevent the continuation of human rights violations and to hold perpetrators accountable in accordance with the Iraqi Constitution and international treaties. 

You can read and download the full report here:

Protect Iraqi Human Rights Defenders Now campaign  

October 2024