11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Social, religious and political pressure restricting freedom of choice in academic and cultural matters ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23785]

"There were no government restrictions on academic freedom or cultural events. However, social and religious as well as political pressures restricted the exercise of freedom of choice in academic and cultural matters. In particular, Kurdish parties reportedly controlled the pursuit of formal education and the granting of academic positions.

In the central and southern parts of the country, there were a number of reports of threats by militia or insurgent groups against schools and universities, urging them to modify activities, close down or face violence. Educational institutions often complied with the threats. The KRG reportedly provided good security to the four universities in the region.

On January 16, a bomb killed approximately 65 and injured 110 persons near Al-Mustansiriya University in Baghdad as students were boarding minivans waiting outside a building to take them home, according to police. On February 25, a female suicide bomber killed 41 persons at a satellite branch of the university. In December 2006 a Sunni insurgent group, Ansar al-Sunna, sought to close the school. On May 27, unidentified gunmen killed Khalil al-Zahawi, a renowned calligrapher, outside his Baghdad home. During the year death squads targeted cultural figures such as doctors, academics, and scientists.

According to the Ministry of Higher Education, at least 280 academics have been killed since 2003 by insurgents and militias. During the year the Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MODM) reported that at least 30 percent of professors, doctors, pharmacists, and engineers have fled the country since 2003.

During the year a series of killings targeted professors, particularly in Baghdad and Basrah. Professors at Basrah University who were considered secular received written threats and demands that they leave Basrah. During the year threats against female students were openly posted on billboards and spray-painted on the walls of Basrah University."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

According to NGOs, male gynaecologists targeted by extremists ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 24026]

"Women's NGOs, such as the Women's Rights Association, raised concerns that dozens of male gynecologists are being targeted by extremists as they are accused of invading the privacy of women."

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: Freedom House

Hundreds of university professors and intellectuals assassinated ("Freedom in the World 2007") [ID 20729]

"Baathist-era restrictions on academic freedom were abolished in 2003. However, academic institutions operate in a highly politicized and insecure environment. Hundreds of university professors and intellectuals have been assassinated by insurgents or political militias for voicing their opinions, encouraging dialogue, or for sectarian reasons."

Document(s): Open document

24.01.2007 - Source: ReliefWeb

Humanitarian agency staff mourns killing of noted Iraqi scholar and psychiatrist dedicated to healing trauma ("Humanitarian agency staff mourns killing of noted Iraqi scholar and psychiatrist dedicated to healing trauma"), Autor: Church World Service [ID 19557]

Document(s): Open document

20.01.2007 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Academic life in Baghdad and other strife-torn cities almost at halt; lecturers escape from every-day violence and move to relatively-stable Kurdish north ("Kurdistan Bolstered by Influx of Arab Academics") [ID 19815]

Document(s): Open document