We, civil society organizations in Iraq, replace the congratulations on the occasion of the Iraqi Press Day with condemnation and denunciation of the restrictions, threats and arbitrary use of the law that are being imposed on the press and media workers.

The first half of 2022 witnessed an increase in the rates of complaints and investigation and arrest warrants against journalists, media professionals, human rights defenders and opinion leaders, in addition to bloggers and content makers in a way that indicates a decline in the space of expression and freedom of opinion.

As the complaints that are considered in accordance with the laws of the dictatorial era have become doubly and strikingly, they are surprised by the use of previous tools of repression by the rulers of Iraq and their parties, according to exceptional circumstances that the street did not go through from the uproar and dissatisfaction with the performance in managing the affairs of the country, in an attempt to control and silence the free, demanding voices. By reforming the internal affairs, holding the spoilers accountable, doing justice to the oppressed and restoring the rights of the vulnerable and marginalized in accordance with the legal frameworks and rules approved by the Constitution of the Republic of Iraq for the year 2005.

What is happening today of narrowing, arbitrariness and persecution of journalists, activists and defenders of human rights may sound the bell for the collapse of the so-called Iraqi democratic state and offend the sacrifices of our people for the sake of freedom, democracy and the preservation of the dignity of our citizens.

Therefore, we sincerely and urgently call on all governmental, legislative and judicial agencies and all politicians not to allow the silencing approach to continue and not to institute malicious lawsuits that affect freedom of expression so that the situation is not understood as a reason to condone and silence the criminals and help them to escape punishment.
What is happening now may be an indication of the beginning of a dark era affecting the lives and dignity of Iraqis.

Baghdad/ June-2022