Latest news with #Al-Gharawi
Iraqi News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq improves in 2025 World Press Freedom Index
Baghdad ( – Iraq has climbed to 155th place globally in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2025 World Press Freedom Index, an improvement from 169th in 2024 and 172nd in 2023. The Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq highlighted the ranking on Saturday (May 3, 2025), while noting an 'unprecedented deterioration' in press freedom worldwide. Fadel Al-Gharawi, head of the center, acknowledged the progress but emphasized persistent challenges. While ranking above some regional neighbours like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Iraq still tragically holds the record for the most journalists killed globally over the past 30 years (over 340). Al-Gharawi cited ongoing issues like restrictive laws, lack of media independence, and impunity for attacks against journalists as major concerns across the region and globally. The rights center strongly urged the Iraqi government and parliament to enact crucial legislation, including a 'Right to Access Information' law and a comprehensive press freedom protection law. Al-Gharawi called for enhanced security for journalists, prosecution of attackers to end impunity, and revising restrictive laws to align with international standards and the Iraqi constitution. While welcoming the improved ranking, the center stressed that sustained legislative and protective measures are vital for fostering true press freedom and democracy in Iraq, calling it a national responsibility.
Shafaq News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq: A deadly place for journalists despite slight freedom index rise
Shafaq News/ Global press freedom is deteriorating at an unprecedented rate, with Iraq still struggling to safeguard journalists despite a modest improvement in its international ranking, a leading Iraqi rights advocate said on Saturday. The 2025 Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), ranked Iraq 155th globally, up from 169 in 2024 and 172 in 2023. Fadel Al-Gharawi, head of the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, pointed out that Iraq continues to hold the tragic distinction of having the highest number of journalists killed in the world over the past three decades, 'with more than 340 journalists lost out of a global total of 2,660.' He attributed the uneven global and regional press freedom landscape to "state censorship, restrictive legislation, lack of media independence, rising violations against journalists, and pervasive fear of legal reprisals." Al-Gharawi urged the Iraqi government and parliament to swiftly pass the long-delayed 'Right to Access Information' law to ensure transparency, strengthen anti-corruption efforts, and guarantee freedom of information. He also called for comprehensive legislation to protect journalistic freedoms and establish a safe legal environment for media workers. He further stressed the need to enhance legal and security protections for journalists, prosecute perpetrators of violations, and end the culture of impunity. Al-Gharawi advocated for revising restrictive media laws to align with the constitution and international standards. 'Protecting press freedom is a national responsibility and a cornerstone of Iraq's democratic future,' he said.
Shafaq News
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
2.3K lives lost: Iraq's grim toll of human trafficking
Shafaq News/ The number of human trafficking victims in Iraq has reached 2,300 over the past three years, with authorities dismantling over 1,800 criminal networks and individuals involved in trafficking and forced begging, Iraq's Strategic Center for Human Rights head, Fadel al-Gharawi said on Monday. According to al-Gharawi, 'Recent global statistics indicate that the number of trafficking victims exceeded 28 million in 2024, marking a 12% increase compared to 2023.' He explained that the predominant forms of exploitation globally included forced labor (50%) and sexual exploitation (38%). In contrast, other types—such as forced marriage and organ trafficking—accounted for around 12% of documented cases. Women and girls comprised approximately 65% of all victims, while children made up around 25%, highlighting the vulnerability of these groups, particularly in conflict zones and areas affected by humanitarian crises. In Iraq, forced labor remains the most common form of trafficking, particularly in agriculture, construction, and domestic service sectors. Other widespread abuses include forced begging and the exploitation of women and children in illicit activities. Organ trafficking continues to be a growing concern. Al-Gharawi reported that in 2024 alone, Iraqi authorities arrested 162 suspects linked to the sale of human organs. Authorities also registered 158 trafficking victims that year and placed them in protective shelters. Despite the implementation of Iraq's Anti-Human Trafficking Law No. 28 of 2012 and the establishment of specialized national committees and victim shelters, significant obstacles remain. The US Department of State's 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report continues to list Iraq under the 'Tier 2 Watch List,' indicating that while some progress has been made, further efforts are needed in law enforcement capacity, investigative reach, prosecution rates, and victim support. Al-Gharawi urged the Iraqi government, parliament, and relevant authorities to update national legislation in alignment with international protocols and to intensify public awareness efforts, especially in high-risk areas. He also called for stronger coordination between Iraqi agencies and international organizations to pursue cross-border trafficking networks, and to enhance comprehensive support for victims—including legal, psychological, and social assistance—as well as to invest in improved early-warning systems.
Iraqi News
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq considers TikTok ban again
Baghdad ( – Iraq's Minister of Communications, Hiyam Al-Yasiri, has reignited debate over a potential ban on TikTok, a platform immensely popular within the country, boasting 34.3 million users according to the Digital Media Center (DMC). The app serves as a preferred online destination for a wide segment of Iraqis, especially youth and numerous influencers and content creators. Minister Al-Yasiri attributes the renewed push for banning Iraq's most-used social media app to 'thousands of appeals from Iraqi families' requesting its removal due to content deemed inappropriate and inconsistent with the values of 'our people and our families.' This stance mirrors her previous call for a ban in March 2024, when she argued TikTok contributed to the 'disintegration of the Iraqi social fabric' and lacked educational merit. The Ministry now hopes for, and would implement, a ban mandated by the Iraqi Parliament. However, the proposed ban faces pushback. Fadel Al-Gharawi, head of the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, emphasized that freedom of expression is a fundamental right internationally, while acknowledging that it isn't absolute and shouldn't violate public morals. He noted that while social media has benefits, some TikTok usage in Iraq has deviated from public decency. Crucially, Al-Gharawi argued against a 'comprehensive ban,' advocating instead for platform regulation—similar to measures in other countries—to 'prune' problematic content without denying access. Al-Gharawi urged the government to foster a safe online environment rather than resorting to bans. Launched globally in 2016 and surpassing 4.5 billion downloads, TikTok's widespread use presents Iraqi authorities with the complex challenge of balancing societal and cultural concerns against principles of digital freedom and access for its millions of users. The app's future in Iraq remains uncertain amid these conflicting pressures.
Shafaq News
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's 2025 elections: Unified card could boost turnout to 40%
Shafaq News/ Iraq's use of the unified card in the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for October, will help boost voter participation to 40%, Fadhel Al-Gharawi, head of the Strategic Center for Human Rights, said on Wednesday. Current statistics show that 28,079,889 voters are registered with the biometric card. However, several obstacles prevent widespread participation, including over 1.25 million uncollected cards and an estimated one million lost cards, Al-Gharawi stated. "Nearly two million people's fingerprints cannot be read, preventing them from voting with the current biometric system," he added. According to electoral experts and based on this data, Al-Gharawi noted that the actual participation rate using the current biometric system would not exceed 20%. Al-Gharawi proposed adopting the unified national card as the official voting document instead of the biometric card, which has 27,400,000 registered voters, confirming, 'This would provide a more efficient and secure mechanism, boosting actual participation to around 40%.' Addressing the challenges facing the upcoming elections, he affirmed that 'they are still causing political, legal, and technical controversy.' Key concerns reportedly include amending or maintaining the current Election Law, adopting a multiple constituency system, determining the vote-counting method, the resignation of executive candidates, and redistributing parliamentary seats based on the latest population census.
