Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative

The Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI) is dedicated to bringing together Iraqi and international civil societies through concrete actions to build together another Iraq, with peace and Human Rights for all.

News

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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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. […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Iraqi President’s Speech at UN’s Climate Ambition Summit 2020: Iraq is Moving into a New, Greener Era

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 […]

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Parliament Moves to Pass a “Cybercrimes Law” Protesters March Denouncing the “Law to Silence Expression”

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 […]

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Nasiriya: Hundreds of Demonstrators Return to Al-Haboubi Square Following Deadly Attacks by Sadr’s Supporters

The New Arab After maneuvering their way through streets that were closed off by security forces, hundreds of Iraqi youth successfully arrived in Al-Haboubi Square in Nasiriya, in southern Iraq, breaking the curfew that forces imposed on the city on Saturday night, November 28. Tensions remained high as anti-government demonstrators vowed not to be silent […]

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After the Government Ejects Protesters from Tahrir Square, New Protests Erupt Demanding Payment of Government Employees’ Salaries

“Paintings and pictures of martyrs and revolutionary slogans” are all that remain in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, after the government decided to forcibly reopen Iraq’s most prominent protest square and the surrounding streets and bridges. Authorities removed the tents of the protesters who have been demonstrating for more than a year, but have not answered their […]

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What is Behind the Delay in Implementing of the Agreement to Stabilize Sinjar?

The New Arab On 23 October, a prominent Iraqi official in Baghdad revealed to Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that there will be a delay moving forward with the agreement to normalize the situation in the city of Sinjar, west of Nineveh. The agreement was recently signed in both Baghdad and Erbil, and attempts to resolve problems and […]

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