Iraq
From the Communiqué
11 April 2012
IFEX members and partners urge Iraq not to pass overbroad, punitive cyber crimes law
A bill on "information-technology crimes" with particularly broad wording and harsh punishments is due to come before Iraq's parliament this month. More than 40 IFEX members and partners have banded together to try to stop it, at the initiative of ARTICLE 19 and Access Now.
14 September 2011
Al-Mahdi's death big loss for media and activist community; new law fails to protect journalists' rights
Iraqi journalist, filmmaker and playwright Hadi al-Mahdi was well known for his missives to the government, his demands for peace, and more recently, as a leading organiser of Iraq's recent pro-democracy protests. But for his actions he has paid with his life. On 8 September, he was shot dead in his home in Baghdad in an apparently targeted attack to silence him, report Human Rights Watch, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI).
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Campaigns and Advocacy
5 April 2012
Forty-four IFEX members and partners call proposed cyber crimes law a setback to free speech
An open letter by 44 organisations calls Iraq's proposed Information Technology Crimes law a threat to the fundamental freedoms necessary for the evolution of free speech and a vibrant press. The law will come to vote in the Iraqi Council of Representatives in April.
27 October 2011
Draft Informatics Crimes Law fundamentally flawed, says ARTICLE 19
The Draft Law cites, as its basis, multiple negative consequences of the "information revolution" without acknowledging the positive role technology performs in today's society, not least of all in enhancing the enjoyment of fundamental human rights. The Draft Law provides no guarantees for the right to freedom of expression or freedom of information.
6 May 2011
One year since his murder, RSF pays tribute to Kurdish journalist Sardasht Osman
The anniversary of Osman's murder comes at a time of tension as journalists are constantly the targets of death threats, acts of intimidation, physical attacks and murder attempts.See all campaign news: Iraq
Reports
22 February 2011
Human Rights Watch releases report on human rights situation, including conditions for journalists
The 102-page report calls on the government to protect the rights of vulnerable groups and amend laws that violate freedom of speech.
4 November 2010
RSF issues investigative report on the state of press freedom in Iraqi Kurdistan
In a new report titled, "Between Freedom and Abuses: The Media Paradox in Iraqi Kurdistan", RSF reviews the political and historical circumstances surrounding the growth of media outlets in the region.See all reports: Iraq
Alerts
Television news crew assaulted, equipment confiscated 11 May 2012 Editor held illegally for six days because of corruption coverage 2 May 2012 Media freedom increasingly under threat 13 April 2012 Car bomb kills TV presenter in Tikrit 3 April 2012 Security forces clamp down on demonstrations in Sulaimaniya and Baghdad 1 March 2012 Journalist protection law falls short, should be repealed, says CPJ 25 January 2012 Journalist illegally detained, while another is attacked 23 January 2012 News media torched, journalists attacked and arrested in outbreak of violence 5 December 2011 New wave of abuses and intimidation against the media 31 October 2011 Series of new attacks and acts of intimidation against journalists 21 October 2011 New law fails to protect journalists, creates new problems, says RSF 12 September 2011 "Lvin" magazine editor beaten by special forces, held for three hours in Iraqi Kurdistan 9 September 2011 Radio personality shot dead 9 September 2011 Prominent Kurdish journalist assaulted 30 August 2011 Editor released after 16 months in prison 18 August 2011 Alarming statement, constant harassment offer no respite for journalists 5 August 2011 Lawsuits, violence by security forces now daily events for journalists, says RSF 15 July 2011 Human Rights Watch calls on government to revise draft law that curbs protests, speech 15 July 2011 Attacks by government-backed thugs chill protests 5 July 2011 Camera operator killed in suicide bombing 23 June 2011 New concerns over bill proposing creation of media council in Iraqi Kurdistan 16 June 2011 Protest organisers beaten, detained 2 June 2011 Star journalist sued by head of electoral commission 26 May 2011 Concern over growing effort to silence media in Kurdistan 25 May 2011 Ruling party lawsuit could force independent Kurdish news magazine to close 19 May 2011 See all alerts: Iraq
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