GENERAL
The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) has been documenting the human rights situation in Iraq over the past five years since the start of the popular uprising in October 2019.
Its 37th periodic report from 14th April 2026 addresses various types of violations, including serious human rights abuses witnessed in Iraq in recent months. These include numerous targeted attacks at various levels against professionals, journalists and activists, as well as arbitrary arrests and restrictions on the public freedoms of all citizens.
Association
RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE ASSASSINATION OF PROMINENT HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER REMAIN UNKNOWN
The results of the ongoing investigation into the assassination of prominent human rights defender and head of the Organisation for Women’s Freedom in Iraq, Yanar Mohammed, remain unknown, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
On 5th March 2026, civil society issued a joint appeal to the Iraqi authorities, calling for “an immediate, independent, impartial, and transparent investigation to identify the perpetrators and those who may have ordered the assassination, and to bring them to justice in accordance with international standards. The authorities must also take effective protection measures for human rights defenders, particularly women’s rights workers, who face increasing risks.”
Peaceful Assembly
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS ARRESTED OVER PROTEST
On the morning of 4th March 2026, environmental activist Murtadha Al-Janoubi was arrested in the Al-Musharrah district of Al-Kahla of Maysan Governorate. His arrest occurred during demonstrations he helped organise, demanding sufficient and equitable water allocations for the Iraqi Marshes. He was released that same evening. Nine other protesters were also arrested but were all released after a brief detention.
Al-Janoubi uses his Facebook account to advocate for the right of the people of the Marshes to a free and dignified life, and to demand the preservation of the marshlands as a World Heritage Site.
On 1st March 2026, he wrote on his page, “The anniversary of the arrival of the first company from the Al-Uzair district. Because we didn’t hold onto the Marshes, we lost the rivers… because those who drained the Marshes live in palaces.”
UNESCO inscribed the Marshes of southern Iraq on its World Heritage List in 2016 as a unique mixed (natural and cultural) site, being one of the largest inland water bodies in an arid environment and home to a continuous ancient Sumerian civilisation. The Marshes (such as Hawizeh, Al-Jubayish, and Al-Hammar) encompass rare biodiversity and historical sites of Ur, Eridu, and Uruk. The main image illustrates the beauty of the marshlands and the need to protect their stunning natural environment.
Expression
ARMED GROUP THREATENS TO TARGET THOSE WITH DISSENTING OPINIONS
In the absence of a functioning state with strong institutions and genuine citizenship, on 28th February 2026, an armed group calling itself “The Lone Lions” issued a statement which circulated on social media networks. The group threatened to target anyone expressing opinions that do not align with what it considers ‘red lines’. This clearly reflects the state’s suppression of the civil and human rights of anyone who disagrees with the authorities. This is a blatant violation of Article 38 of the Iraqi Constitution, which stipulates that the state protects freedom of expression by all means.
OFFICE OF NRT SATELLITE TV TARGETED
On 4th April 2026, a security force affiliated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) raided the Erbil office of NRT satellite TV, shutting it down and confiscating all its equipment. Simultaneously, another KDP force raided the channel’s Duhok office, closing it and confiscating its equipment as well. These actions were carried out without a court order, and the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Culture stated that it was unaware of the security forces’ actions in Erbil and had not received any official notification regarding the matter.
RETALIATION AGAINST NASIRIYAH READS FESTIVAL
The preparatory committee for the Nasiriyah Reads Festival announced in a statement issued on 13th February 2026, that the Dhi Qar Governorate Police Command had issued a decision prohibiting the festival, which was scheduled to open that same day on the city’s corniche. Security officials cited security concerns and fears of “infiltrators” as the reasons for the ban, in addition to objections to the titles of some books.
The festival’s organising committee had obtained all necessary security and administrative approvals, in compliance with applicable laws and in cooperation with relevant official bodies. They had collected approximately 5,000 books, including 1,000 donated by citizens of Baghdad, for free distribution to the public during the festival. Four months of continuous planning, coordination, and book collection were brought to an end by an unjust decision from the police command, despite Nasiriyah being the rightful and direct heir to Sumerian civilisation, encompassing the ancient Sumerian capital of Ur and Eridu, one of the earliest cities in history.
On the previous day, 12th February 2026, a shipment of 1,000 books, arriving from Baghdad, was stopped at a checkpoint at the entrance to Nasiriyah. Upon inspection, a book containing images of the former dictator Saddam Hussein was found. The books were confiscated, and the truck driver was arrested by security forces. When the festival’s director, Ayman Ammar, a young political activist and engineer, attempted to resolve the matter peacefully, he too was arrested. He was not released until 15th February 2026.
CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVIST VINDICATED
On 6th April 2026, civil society activist Alaa Mohammed Al-Tamimi (Abu Alaa Al-Ramahi) posted a video on his Facebook page from outside the Basra Court of Appeals Presidency, accompanied by his legal team and several colleagues. In the video, he announced that the court had ruled in his favour for the sixth time in a row, in one of 17 lawsuits filed against him by the Basra Governorate Health Department, which had ultimately failed. He also thanked everyone who had shown him solidarity and captioned the video, “The Supreme Judiciary upholds freedom of expression and vindicates free voices.”
On 9th September 2025, security forces arrested him from his home in downtown Basra following a complaint filed against him by the Basra Governorate Health Department’s Director. That same day, his fellow civil society activists held a solidarity vigil in front of his home, demanding his immediate release. On 10th September 2025, he was released on bail of 5 million Iraqi dinars (USD 3720).
Al-Tamimi uses his Facebook page to address citizens’ concerns and criticize the poor state of public services, particularly in the health sector. On 29th March 2026, a citizen bitterly commented in a video he posted about the shortage of tetanus shots in Basra’s public hospitals and pharmacies.
AMERICAN JOURNALIST KIDNAPPED
On 31st March 2026, American journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in broad daylight on Saadoun Street in central Baghdad by an armed group who forced her into a vehicle.
Security forces pursued the kidnappers’ vehicle, which headed towards Babil Governorate, southwest of Baghdad. There, their vehicle was involved in a traffic accident, and Kittleson was transferred to a second vehicle that then fled. One of the kidnappers was apprehended.
On 7th April 2026, the armed group released her on the condition that she leave the country immediately. They released a video in which she spoke about her journalistic work, appearing distressed and unwell.
Kittleson is a freelance journalist based in Rome, known for her on-the-ground reporting in conflict zones such as Iraq and Syria. Her work has been published in outlets such as Monitor, BBC, and other international media organisations. She had received kidnapping threats from outlawed armed groups prior to her abduction.
A large number of Western journalists left the country after her kidnapping due to the authorities’ failure to protect journalists from being targeted.
UTV SATELLITE CHANNEL CORRESPONDENT FACES JUDICIAL HARASSMENT
On 9th March 2026, journalist and UTV Satellite Channel correspondent in Najaf, Hussam Al-Kaabi, posted a video on his Facebook page detailing the judicial targeting he was facing for his journalistic work covering corruption issues.
The Najaf Investigation Court had issued arrest warrants, search warrants, and summonses against him following a complaint filed by an investor in the province after he published a document issued by the provincial investment authority on his Facebook page. He clarified that addressing corruption cases is a fundamental part of his journalistic and oversight work.
Citizens expressed their solidarity with Al-Kaabi and held up banners thanking him for his professional reporting of the truth and his success in stopping an investor from illegally seizing a plot of land.
On 24th March 2026, the Najaf Criminal Court (in its capacity as a Court of Cassation) held a session and decided to overturn the decision of the Najaf investigating judge issued on 24th February 2026, which had referred him to the Najaf Misdemeanor Court, on the grounds that he was a journalist practising media activity. GCHR has obtained a copy of the court’s decision.
MEDIA FIGURE SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR IN PRISON
On 22nd February 2026, the Nasiriyah Misdemeanor Court in Dhi Qar Governorate sentenced media figure Rasim Karim, an Al-Nahrain Satellite TV correspondent, to one year in prison. According to some press reports, he was convicted of defamation against the mayor of Nasiriyah and several of its employees and technical staff, under Article 438 of the Iraqi Penal Code.
Other press reports indicated that his conviction stemmed from his filming local officials with a real estate agent late at night and then leaking the footage to a blogger who published it to discredit the officials.
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST ARRESTED OVER ONLINE POST
On 1st March 2026, security forces in Nasiriyah arrested environmental activist Mohammed Mubarak after he posted a video expressing his fears for his family due to the escalating regional conflict.
Despite his subsequent apology in a recording for any misunderstanding caused by his words, and his deletion of the video, local authorities still arrested him. According to local sources, he remains in the custody of the National Security Service in Dhi Qar Governorate.
Mubarak is known among his colleagues for his dedicated volunteer work, including his contribution to establishing a nature reserve for animals and his participation in organising the Nasiriyah Reads Festival.
Civil society activists fear he may face serious charges such as terrorism or conspiracy against the country, which could carry heavy prison sentences and ruin his promising future as a university political science student.