At its second conference on 29 October 2026, the Council for Rights and Freedoms voiced concern over restrictions on freedoms in Iraq, persecution of critics and attacks on journalists. It urged the government to protect free expression and peaceful protest, investigate the 25 October violations, end impunity for assassinations, review restrictive laws and combat corruption.
The Council for Rights and Freedoms expresses its grave concern at the continuing restrictions on public freedoms in Iraq, the persecution of activists and people who voice critical opinions, the curtailment of peaceful protest, and the obstruction and threats that journalists and media workers face while carrying out their professional duties.
The Council affirms that freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly are fundamental constitutional rights, not privileges that the authorities may grant or withdraw at will. Resorting to force or arrests to contain peaceful protests does not resolve crises; it only deepens the gap of trust between citizens and state institutions.
The Council is following with concern the complaints and reports of restrictions imposed on demonstrators, and of journalists and media workers being prevented from covering the events commemorating the October (Tishreen) Uprising on 25 October this year. It calls for an independent and transparent investigation into these incidents, the public disclosure of its findings, and accountability for anyone proven responsible for any violation.
The Council further stresses the need to uncover the truth about assassinations and threats, to hold the perpetrators to account, to put an end to impunity, and to combat corruption. It rejects any attempt to use the law as a tool to silence voices, criminalise peaceful criticism, or undermine individual and collective rights and freedoms.
In fulfilment of its national and human rights responsibilities, the Council for Rights and Freedoms calls on the Government of Iraq to:
First: End the restrictions on public freedoms, stop the persecution of activists and critics for their positions and peaceful criticism, and guarantee citizens’ right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Second: Protect journalists and media workers and guarantee their right to report and to access information without obstruction or threats; investigate the complaints concerning the violations of 25 October and hold those responsible to account.
Third: Uncover the truth about assassinations and threats, hold accountable the perpetrators and all parties involved, guarantee the rights of victims and their families, and end impunity, regardless of the position or rank of those implicated.
Fourth: Reject legislation that restricts freedoms; review laws and provisions that may be used to criminalise freedom of expression or to curtail individual and collective rights, and ensure that they are debated transparently with the participation of experts and civil society organisations.
Fifth: Combat corruption, strengthen the rule of law, and guarantee accountability and the independence of the judiciary; address the root causes of the protests and respond to citizens’ demands rather than meeting them with repression and arrests.
The Council emphasises that these demands are a national responsibility that extends to every part of Iraq, and that the protection of freedoms and human dignity admits no selectivity or double standards.
Silencing voices does not bring stability, suppressing protests does not resolve crises, and there can be no justice without accountability. We want an Iraq where freedom of expression is protected, where killers and the corrupt are held to account, where no one is above the law, and where no citizen is afraid to demand their rights.
Issued by the Second Conference of the Council for Rights and Freedoms
Baghdad, 29 October 2026
About the Council for Rights and Freedoms
The Council for Rights and Freedoms is an independent Iraqi civil framework that brings together activists, journalists, human rights defenders and representatives of civil society organisations to defend public freedoms and human rights in Iraq, particularly freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and press freedom. The Council monitors and documents violations, advocates for accountability and an end to impunity, submits recommendations to the legislative and executive authorities, and holds regular conferences that give civil society a united voice against restrictions on freedoms, in partnership with the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights.
