Iraq debates bill that could curb right to protest

The Iraqi parliament is currently debating controversial legislation that would significantly restrict the right to protest, sparking criticism from rights groups, including Amnesty International and the INSM Foundation for Digital Rights.

1news.media reports that the proposed law introduces, according to the Middle East Eye:

- A ban on nighttime protests

- Restrictions on protests near hospitals, schools, and government buildings

- A requirement for permits is five days in advance

- Harsh prison sentences for advocating war or insulting religious sites/symbols

The bill, claimed by lawmakers to align with Iraq’s constitution, follows a broader crackdown on dissent amid ongoing anti-government protests, worsening water and electricity shortages, and record-breaking heat.

Rights groups fear the law will further erode civic space, with no public transparency on the bill's contents and no input from civil society.