[rtl]Amnesty International calls on the Iraqi government and parliament to withdraw laws that undermine freedom of opinion and expression and affirms: repressive laws[/rtl]
policy , 2023/07/19 10:18 , Number of readings: 144
policy , 2023/07/19 10:18 , Number of readings: 144
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
[rtl]Baghdad - Iraq Today:
"Amnesty" International and the Ansem Network for Digital Rights in Iraq criticized the Iraqi government's re-introduction of two bills to Parliament, which would lead to restricting the rights related to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly of the Iraqi people .
In a report, the organization stated that the re-introduction of these two bills coincides with a series of prosecutions targeting people who criticize government figures, in addition to a campaign led by the authorities to suppress “low content” on the Internet, explaining that Between January and June of this year, the authorities prosecuted at least 20 people peacefully for their human right to freedom of expression, while six people were sentenced to prison terms but not released.
The report quoted Bissan Fakih, a regional campaign official for Iraq and Yemen at Amnesty International, as saying that the Iraqi authorities' recent attempt to suppress freedom of expression reveals their blatant disregard for the exceptional sacrifices made by Iraqis during the 2019 uprising to ensure their freedoms.
"The Iraqi government must immediately withdraw the two repressive bills, and the House of Representatives should not pass any laws that unjustifiably restrict the human rights of Iraqis," Fakih said.
Fakih continued, saying, "The Iraqi people have the right to criticize their leaders and religious symbols, and to protest peacefully without fear of being imprisoned and paying heavy fines. These rights are very important at a time when the Iraqi people seek to hold government." officials accountable for allegations of systemic corruption and human rights violations." .
The report indicated that the proposed draft law on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly would give the Iraqi authorities cover for a democratically approved law to arbitrarily prosecute anyone who makes public comments that violate "public morals" or "public order."[/rtl]
[rtl] Under the proposed cybercrime bill, he said, those who post online content deemed to harm the vaguely defined "higher economic, political, military or security interests of the country" could face up to life, imprisonment and a fine of up to 50%. One million Iraqi dinars (about 38,000 US dollars).
The report that during meetings with Amnesty International in Baghdad in May, stated human rights defenders and activists expressed concern that the two bills would enable the authorities to suppress peaceful dissent more severely, adding that the proposed reforms are deeply troubling due to the recent wave of prosecutions related to freedom of expression.
In this context, the report notes that journalist Haider al-Hamdani is being tried on the basis of a criminal defamation lawsuit filed against him by the governor of Basra, whom al-Hamdani accused of corruption in a video posted on his Facebook page, which is followed by more than a million people.
The report quoted an Iraqi comedian who was tried before an Iraqi court during the "low content" campaign, as saying, "I am no longer able to mock any party, the state, or any public figure...or the state of roads." , water, schools, or bridges.Why?Because everything belongs to the parties.
The report stated that, on May 9, 2023, the House of Representatives conducted its second reading of the proposed law on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, pointing out that Parliament Speaker Muhammad al-Halbousi can call for a general vote on the law at any time.
In addition, the report indicated that amendments to the two bills are currently being discussed by lawmakers in a private setting, according to individuals who participated in the discussions and saw new language proposed in the two drafts. However, these amendments have not been announced, and it is not clear if the Iraqi people would have had access to the final version of the two dangerous bills before a possible vote on them.
The report quoted the Executive Director of the Ansam Network, Haider Hamzouz, as saying, “It is unacceptable that we suffer in Iraq today from a lack of access to information about draft laws under consideration by the House of Representatives,” explaining that access to Information is a basic human right, which is one of the factors rule of law, in order to enable citizens to participate effectively in political life and to combat corruption. The report indicated that the draft law allows the authorities to ban public gatherings, unless prior permission is obtained from the authorities at least five days in advance, and it does not mention the criteria that the Iraqi authorities will apply in approving or banning protests, which in fact gives them the power to ban all protests. .
According to the report, the draft law prohibits “defaming religions, sects, and sects,” and anyone found to have “publicly insulted a ritual, symbol, or person that is revered, glorified, or respected by a religious sect” faces a prison sentence of up to 10 years. and a fine of up to 10 million dinars ($7,600).
The report considered that given that religious symbols play a prominent role in the main political parties in Iraq, banning criticism of them would severely limit people's exercise of their right to freedom of expression.
He added that according to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, when a state party imposes restrictions on the exercise of freedom of expression, these restrictions should not endanger the right itself, and the relationship between the right and the restriction and between the rule and the exception must not be reversed.
He added that in its official interpretation of Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights regarding freedom of assembly, the United Nations Human Rights Committee stressed in its General Comment No. 37 that “the requirement to apply for permission from the authorities undermines the notion that peaceful assembly is a fundamental right, if national laws still provide for licensing systems, these systems should be used, in practice, as notification systems, with the license automatically granted unless there are compelling reasons not to do so.”
The report pointed out that the demonstrators in Iraq are already facing repression at the hands of the security services, and this danger increases any time the authorities consider the protest unauthorized, because they always resort to the use of force to break up such protests. He added that Amnesty International had previously documented how at least 600 demonstrators were killed, and thousands more injured, during anti-government protests that swept across the country in 2019, after security forces resorted to the use of lethal force.
Freedom Watch Online
The report that the government re-introduced the information crimes bill stated to Parliament in November 2022, and that under the proposed law, which is characterized by vague wording, anyone found guilty of “stoking sectarian tensions or sedition” or “undermining the country's independence , unity, safety or interests.” economic, political, military or supreme security," he could face up to life imprisonment and a fine of up to 50 million Iraqi dinars (about 38 US dollars). Bisan Fakih concluded by saying, "In April 2023, the Iraqi government reaffirmed
its We promise to Amnesty International that it would guarantee public freedoms, yet its actions in Parliament are not in line with this affirmation."[/rtl]
[rtl][You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
[/rtl]
Today at 1:54 pm by Rocky
» Integrity and the Financial Supervision Bureau agree to activate the cooperation agreement between t
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani faces 170 suspended laws.. Will they be approved or deported?
Today at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary demands to cancel the security agreement with Washington
Today at 5:02 am by Rocky
» MP: Oil derivatives smuggling has decreased by 80% in Iraq
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» After years of controversy, the Minority Protection Act is submitted for the first reading
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Al-Sayhoud: The ministerial reshuffle is useless for several reasons
Today at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Iraqi government makes changes to the General Secretariat: Al-Juhaishi succeeds Al-Halbousi
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Extension of the legislative term of the Iraqi parliament for an additional month to pass laws
Today at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: The necessity of strengthening Iraq's position to be at the forefront of the region'
Today at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Transportation: We are determined to pass the Civil Aviation Authority Law
Today at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Baghdad Council: Study of the reality of companies applying to implement projects
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Water Resources announces its control over the oil slick in the Tigris River
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Reconstruction: A new government vision for distributing serviced lands among those entitled to them
Today at 4:47 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Immigration Committee demands increasing the amount of the return grant
Today at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Accreditation of specialized graduates to support quality control
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Heritage markets and buildings in Mosul after its reconstruction
Today at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Specialized committee to ensure acceptance of cybersecurity outputs
Today at 4:40 am by Rocky
» The Ministry of Interior issues mechanisms to regulate the work of private security companies
Today at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Baghdad Council: Study of the reality of companies applying to implement projects
Today at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Welcome to the trends of establishing an administrative capital
Today at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Securities trade more than 88 billion shares
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Focus on the banking sector
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» Imports and dependence on oil are obstacles to Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization
Today at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Launch of the International Chamber of Commerce in Iraq
Today at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Private sector and housing projects
Today at 4:30 am by Rocky
» Sovereign guarantees... a trend that promotes national industries
Today at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Development of tax policies and laws
Today at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Basra Council reviews the mechanisms of the smart transformation system that the Ministry of Electri
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» Against the backdrop of the rise in the best subscriptions...Nineveh Council: Fuel quotas for genera
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Trade: Launching the International Chamber of Commerce branch in Iraq
Today at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Parliament.. A new political path under the leadership of President Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani
Today at 4:22 am by Rocky
» ommunications and Media Commission implements 54 projects to serve more than 162 thousand beneficiar
Today at 4:20 am by Rocky
» The Coordination Framework comments on the expected ministerial amendment: Information is exclusivel
Today at 4:18 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives draft memorandum of understanding to establish the Supreme Ministerial Council be
Today at 4:17 am by Rocky
» Interior Minister discusses with Iranian counterpart in Tehran common files between the two countrie
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Integrity and the Financial Supervision Bureau agree to activate the cooperation agreement between t
Today at 4:15 am by Rocky
» Victory Coalition: We call for adopting Imam Sistani’s directives as a document of principles for po
Today at 4:14 am by Rocky
» The expected Kurdistan government.. between accelerating events and complex scenarios - Urgent
Today at 4:12 am by Rocky
» Details of Talabani's meeting with the US Ambassador: The next government is a citizen's government
Today at 4:10 am by Rocky
» "Before the axe falls on the head" .. Al-Sadr warns the Sudanese against adopting the issue of the "
Today at 4:05 am by Rocky
» Iraq announces success in investing 67% of associated gas and converting it into energy
Today at 4:04 am by Rocky
» Parliament overcomes Thursday's trap.. Sessions complain about their personal conditions and seek a
Today at 4:03 am by Rocky
» The Election Commission closes the door to appeals in the Kurdistan elections with 41 appeals
Today at 4:02 am by Rocky
» Trade Bank of Iraq signs a contract with “Hisabi Project” to localize salaries of the region’s emplo
Today at 4:01 am by Rocky
» Baghdad faces a new test to maintain balance.. Threats of Iranian response to Israel from Iraqi terr
Today at 4:00 am by Rocky
» Rafidain and Rashid deny the suspension of electronic payment devices: The service continues
Today at 3:58 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani agrees to launch an initiative to attract talent in the public and private sectors
Today at 3:57 am by Rocky
» MP: 11 draft laws ready to be presented to the House of Representatives
Today at 3:55 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani and Al-Mashhadani discuss cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities
Today at 3:53 am by Rocky
» Sudanese agrees to launch an initiative on artificial intelligence
Today at 3:51 am by Rocky
» The dollar continues to rise.. Learn about the exchange rates in the Iraqi markets
Today at 3:49 am by Rocky
» Mechanisms for regulating the work of private security companies in Iraq
Today at 3:48 am by Rocky
» Transport decides to reject partnership between the General Company for Airports Management and the
Today at 3:45 am by Rocky
» What does the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan expect from Mahmoud al-Mashhadani? Al-Sumaria reveals
Today at 3:43 am by Rocky
» MM&C 11/3/24 Launch of the International Chamber of Commerce in Iraq
Yesterday at 1:50 pm by Rocky
» utube 10/31/24 MM&C Central Bank Governor of Iraq-Monetary Stability Directly Stimulating the Econom
Yesterday at 7:15 am by Rocky
» utube 10/31/24 MM&C MM&C News Reporting-Security & Stability-Sinjar Allocations-Unprecedented Develo
Yesterday at 7:15 am by Rocky
» Rafidain and Rashid deny the suspension of electronic payment devices: The service continues
Yesterday at 7:10 am by Rocky
» Iraq meets a third of housing needs, two directions identified to solve the crisis completely
Yesterday at 7:06 am by Rocky
» Activating the General Amnesty Law, a summary of the meeting between Al-Mashhadani and Al-Dhari
Yesterday at 7:03 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary recommendations to change "five" ministers in Al-Sudani's government.. Get to know the
Yesterday at 7:00 am by Rocky
» The controversy over the “controversial laws” continues.. and Al-Mashhadani confirms: They will not
Yesterday at 6:58 am by Rocky
» Sunday's currency auction.. 99% of the Central Bank of Iraq's sales went abroad
Yesterday at 6:56 am by Rocky
» Higher fines and powers.. the most prominent amendments to the expected Civil Defense Law
Yesterday at 6:53 am by Rocky
» Transport announces completion of initial design phase of development road with its land and rail ro
Yesterday at 6:51 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Security: The Intelligence Law is ready.. 3 important paragraphs
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Central Bank dollar sales rise in today's auction
Yesterday at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Divided into three... Al-Fatlawi criticizes the Arab and Islamic position towards the aggression on
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Transport Committee reveals upcoming quadripartite meeting on development path
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Planning: The ministerial amendment is based on 4 directions
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» "Until the case is settled"... the judiciary suspends the decision to dismiss Al-Karwi from the pres
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Increasing for a year and a half.. Announcing the results of the investigation into Baghdad's pollut
Yesterday at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Banking Association: Reducing inflation helped stabilize commodity prices
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Investment and Development Committee calls for commitment to the “Investment Law”
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance settles the controversy: This is the fate of the appointments file in the 2025
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Trade Bank of Iraq explains procedures for money transfers and combating money laundering
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Within three days, Iraq indicates an increase in the number of aircraft landing and crossing the air
Yesterday at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Public services reveal the reality of the capital.. This is what it needs
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Population growth and ongoing suffering.. A briefing on the "deteriorating" situation in Baghdad
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Committee Proposes Attracting Real Estate Developers
Yesterday at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Direction to transfer beneficiaries of the protection network to the Social Security Law
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Speaker of Parliament
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» I learned {morning}
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani directs to establish the concept of (Made in Iraq)
Yesterday at 4:47 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani to {Al-Sabah}: Controversial laws will be presented unanimously
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Establishment of Al-Ghadeer Residential City in Muthanna
Yesterday at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Work: Transferring beneficiaries of the safety net to the Social Security Law
Yesterday at 4:43 am by Rocky
» The most prominent achievements of the Sudanese government in the education sector
Yesterday at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Welcome to the trends of establishing an administrative capital
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» Securities trade more than 88 billion shares
Yesterday at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Focus on the banking sector
Yesterday at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Imports and dependence on oil are obstacles to Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization
Yesterday at 4:35 am by Rocky
» Preparatory meetings for the 40th session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Coop
Yesterday at 4:33 am by Rocky
» Minister of Industry: Our visit program to Basra will include following up on the progress of work a
Yesterday at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani and the Secretary-General of the Iraqi National Project stress the importance of activ
Yesterday at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Minister of Industry discusses action plan to complete steel plant in Basra and operate it on schedu
Yesterday at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Al-Sayhoud: Accelerating the implementation of the strategic development road project will advance t
Yesterday at 4:26 am by Rocky
» Amnesty International issues a “warning” to the Iraqi government over “violations” inside Al-Jadaa c
Yesterday at 4:24 am by Rocky