Weights to migrate the Freedom of Expression and Demonstration Law to the next parliamentary session

[size=52]Weights to migrate the Freedom of Expression and Demonstration Law to the next parliamentary session[/size]

[size=45]Baghdad / Hussein Hatem[/size]
[size=45]Deputies and observers are likely to transfer the draft law on freedom of expression and peaceful protest to the next parliamentary session, while observers fear that the law will be passed in the current session with restrictions on constitutional freedoms.[/size]
[size=45]Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, Representative Qusay Abbas, said in an interview with Al-Mada that "the draft law on freedom of expression went through many stages, from a first reading and a second reading to discussion." To the Presidency of the Council of Ministers after agreeing on the final formula with the rest of the concerned committees, represented by the Legal Committee and the Security and Defense Committee.[/size]
[size=45]Abbas adds that "the date for voting on the bill will be determined by the Presidency of the Council of Representatives after the government returns it to us."[/size]
[size=45]The law aims to regulate freedom of expression by all means, freedom of assembly and peaceful demonstration, and the right to know "without prejudice to public order or public morals."[/size]
[size=45]The bill was first proposed in Parliament in 2011 and witnessed strong opposition from among activists, interested parties and civil society organizations, which considered that the law represents a flagrant violation of the principles of the constitution and international covenants.[/size]
[size=45]A member of the Human Rights Committee indicates that "fundamental and fundamental amendments have been made regarding the issue of approvals, most notably with regard to reporting on demonstrations, but there are objections by some civil society organizations to the wording of the amendments," noting that they "seek more and broader amendments."[/size]
[size=45]The MP from Nineveh Governorate affirmed that "the most prominent amendment made to the draft law is to grant freedom to demonstrate and sit-in without requesting approval, but only by notification to the administrative body in the region, whether it is a mayor or a governor."[/size]
[size=45]In one of its articles, the draft law requires obtaining prior permission from the head of the administrative unit (5) days in advance to organize any meeting for citizens, provided that the permission request includes the subject of the meeting, its purpose, time and place of its holding, and the names of the members of the organizing committee.[/size]
[size=45]In turn, a member of the Parliamentary Legal Committee, Saeb Khadr, said in an interview with (Al-Mada) that "the draft law was discussed with the Human Rights Committee and was sent to the government at its request for review," noting that "so far the government has not sent it to the House of Representatives."[/size]
[size=45]The member of the Legal Committee believes that the law does not pass this session, and that it will be transferred to the next parliamentary session.[/size]
[size=45]Last week, the head of the Human Rights Committee, Arshad Al-Salihi, announced that all amendments to the draft freedom of expression bill had been completed. And he indicated that there are several proposals made by the special committees in the House of Representatives, and they have been taken up.[/size]
[size=45]For his part, a specialist in legal affairs, Tariq Harb, said in an interview with Al-Mada: “The draft of the Freedom of Expression of Opinion Law was written years ago, but what Parliament wants is either not to pass the law or pass it with new obligations and restrictions.”[/size]
[size=45]Harb fears "the imposition of law, restrictions that seek to define what is broad."[/size]
[size=45]The specialist in legal affairs adds that “Article 38 of the constitution guarantees freedom of opinion and expression, and everyone is awaiting the issuance of this law,” believing that “Parliament has no intention of issuing the law.”[/size]
[size=45]Article 38 of the Constitution stipulates that the state shall guarantee, in a manner that does not violate public order and morals:[/size]
[size=45]First: The freedom to express opinion by all means.[/size]
[size=45]Second: Freedom of the press, printing, advertising, information and publishing.[/size]
[size=45]Third: Freedom of assembly and peaceful demonstration, and it shall be regulated by law.[/size]
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