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Iraqis Wage New Battle for Freedoms
Opponents believe that while it appears to protect civil liberties on the surface, in actuality it suppresses many of them. They think that it contradicts the Iraqi Constitution and undermines some of the freedoms contained in it.
In one of its paragraphs, the new draft law stipulates that “demonstrations shall be banned before 7 in the morning and after 10 at night.” Meanwhile, another paragraph calls for imprisoning “anyone who insults a symbol or person who is considered sacred or revered by a religious sect.”
Such provisions are vague and subject to debate and interpretation, thus restricting freedoms of demonstration, protest and expression. This is confirmed by Ziad al-Ajaili, the head of JFO, one of the organizations working against the draft. Ajaili told Al-Monitor by phone from Baghdad that the primary defect of the draft law was that it contradicted the Iraqi Constitution.
He said it goes against Article 38, which guarantees freedom of expression; freedom of the press, printing, advertisement, media and publication; and freedom of assembly and peaceful demonstration. The constitution gives great importance to these freedoms, noting that the state guarantees the freedom of expression “through all means.” This law, however, seeks to clearly restrict this, and this is a violation of the constitution that should be confronted, according to Ajaili.
Ajaili believes that the previous government drafted this law because of the wave of demonstrations that swept Iraqi cities in protest of the authorities’ performance, as well as administrative and financial corruption. Due to this, the government tried to restrict freedoms of demonstration, protest and expression. Iraqis succeeded in challenging the draft at the time. According to Ajaili, it is strange that the new parliament is being subjected to an attempt to pass the same draft without any amendments.
It seems that Iraqis’ battles for their freedoms are no less fierce than those against terrorism. There are always political parties and figures seeking to restrict civil liberties under political or religious pretexts. Not a year goes by without Iraqis being forced to defend their rights and liberties in the face of draft laws that attempt to return them to times of oppression.
The confrontation they are engaged in now against this draft law is very important, because compromising fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the constitution could be the beginning of a slide into darkness and dictatorship.
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Opponents believe that while it appears to protect civil liberties on the surface, in actuality it suppresses many of them. They think that it contradicts the Iraqi Constitution and undermines some of the freedoms contained in it.
In one of its paragraphs, the new draft law stipulates that “demonstrations shall be banned before 7 in the morning and after 10 at night.” Meanwhile, another paragraph calls for imprisoning “anyone who insults a symbol or person who is considered sacred or revered by a religious sect.”
Such provisions are vague and subject to debate and interpretation, thus restricting freedoms of demonstration, protest and expression. This is confirmed by Ziad al-Ajaili, the head of JFO, one of the organizations working against the draft. Ajaili told Al-Monitor by phone from Baghdad that the primary defect of the draft law was that it contradicted the Iraqi Constitution.
He said it goes against Article 38, which guarantees freedom of expression; freedom of the press, printing, advertisement, media and publication; and freedom of assembly and peaceful demonstration. The constitution gives great importance to these freedoms, noting that the state guarantees the freedom of expression “through all means.” This law, however, seeks to clearly restrict this, and this is a violation of the constitution that should be confronted, according to Ajaili.
Ajaili believes that the previous government drafted this law because of the wave of demonstrations that swept Iraqi cities in protest of the authorities’ performance, as well as administrative and financial corruption. Due to this, the government tried to restrict freedoms of demonstration, protest and expression. Iraqis succeeded in challenging the draft at the time. According to Ajaili, it is strange that the new parliament is being subjected to an attempt to pass the same draft without any amendments.
It seems that Iraqis’ battles for their freedoms are no less fierce than those against terrorism. There are always political parties and figures seeking to restrict civil liberties under political or religious pretexts. Not a year goes by without Iraqis being forced to defend their rights and liberties in the face of draft laws that attempt to return them to times of oppression.
The confrontation they are engaged in now against this draft law is very important, because compromising fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the constitution could be the beginning of a slide into darkness and dictatorship.
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