11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

General respect towards freedom of assembly; reports of abusive KRG practices against protesters ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23786]

"The constitution provides for freedom of assembly and peaceful demonstration, and the government generally respected this right in practice, although there were reports of abusive KRG practices against protesters. Until April the prime minister invoked the emergency law, which gave him the authority to restrict freedom of movement and assembly pursuant to a warrant or extreme exigent circumstances. In general this emergency law did not prevent peaceful assembly from occurring, although it was used often to impose curfews. Police in the central and southern parts of the country generally did not break up peaceful demonstrations except when a curfew was violated. Following the lapse of the state of emergency in April, the government continued to claim the right to declare curfews in late evening and on holidays in response to security threats.

On September 30, Karbala Governor Aqil al-Khazali announced new instructions banning demonstrations in Karbala without the prior approval of local authorities and specifying jail sentences for those in violation to clamp down on violence and restore order.

Unlike in 2006, there were no reports that KRG security forces killed or detained protesters when multiple demonstrations protested government corruption and poor services."

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: Freedom House

Rights to freedom of assembly and association recognized by the constitution and generally respected in practice ("Freedom in the World 2007") [ID 20730]

"Rights to freedom of assembly and association are recognized by the constitution and generally respected in practice. The constitution guarantees these rights “in a way that does not violate public order and morality.” [...] Peaceful demonstrations occurred frequently during the year without interference from coalition forces or the Iraqi government, except when they were in violation of curfews. Gatherings or rallies that violated anti-Baath strictures were considered illegal."

Document(s): Open document

07.01.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Scores of people have been killed in fresh violence while hundreds of Sunnis continued to protest the execution of former President Saddam Hussein ("Scores Killed In Iraq Fighting") [ID 19147]

Document(s): Open document

17.06.2003 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Violent response to the demonstration in Al-Falluja ("Violent response:The U.S. army in Al-Falluja") [#13540],  [ID 10115]

Document(s): Open document

17.04.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

At least 3 people killed and 12 injured as US forces exchanged gunfire during a demonstration near the governor's building/ 10 people killed and 16 injured in a similar incident ("Iraq: Response to demonstrations and disorder shockingly inadequate") [#12160],  [ID 10116]

Document(s): Open document