Escalation of Human Rights Abuses in Iraq
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has charged the Iraqi government with exacerbating human rights abuses in 2024 by enacting stringent laws that curtail freedoms. Their 2025 World Report, an extensive 546-page examination of over 100 nations’ human rights practices, reveals how these legislative changes threaten the fundamental rights of individuals.
Concerns Over Legislative Changes
Sarah Sanbar, HRW’s Iraq researcher, noted a missed opportunity for Iraq to implement structural reforms for rights protection. Instead, she remarked, “The authorities appeared determined to introduce legislation that erodes freedoms, increases executions, and suppresses dissent.” Among the most alarming changes is the proposed amendment to the Personal Status Law, which could expose women and girls to severe disadvantages, including child marriage.
Anti-LGBTQ+ Measures and Executions
In April 2024, the Iraqi Parliament enacted an amendment to the Anti-Prostitution Law, imposing harsh penalties on LGBTQ+ individuals and related practices. This amendment threatens long prison sentences for same-sex relationships and criminalizes gender-affirming medical procedures. Additionally, HRW noted a disturbing rise in unlawful executions, frequently conducted without informing families or legal representatives, along with credible reports of torture and trial violations.
The ISIS Accountability Dilemma
The completion of the United Nations Investigative Team’s efforts in addressing crimes committed by ISIS has heightened the uncertainty surrounding survivor rights in Iraq. Issues linger about the evidence preservation, available mass graves, the repatriation of displaced persons, and the necessary compensation for war-torn property. HRW emphasized these unresolved matters as critical to the human rights situation.
The Call to Action
HRW urged the Iraqi government to reject the amendment to the Personal Status Law and repeal the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Calling for an immediate halt to discrimination and the suspension of executions, the organization stressed that these actions are vital for reversing the decline of human rights and meeting international obligations.
HRW has accused Iraq of amplifying human rights abuses via restrictive laws in 2024. Proposed amendments threaten women’s and girls’ rights and impose severe penalties on LGBTQ+ individuals. The report highlights a rise in unlawful executions and issues in addressing ISIS crimes. HRW demands rejection of harmful laws and stresses the need for adherence to international human rights obligations.
In summary, HRW’s report details alarming trends in Iraq regarding human rights deteriorations stemming from restrictive legislation aimed at suppressing freedoms. The proposed amendments and increased executions raise significant concerns, prompting HRW to call for urgent governmental actions to protect rights, particularly for women and LGBTQ+ individuals. The calls for reform highlight the dire need for accountability in the wake of past atrocities committed by ISIS.
Original Source: shafaq.com
