Iraq cyber crime bill threatens freedom of expression: HRW

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region  — Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned a cyber crime bill could further restrict freedom of expression “already under attack” in Iraq. 

The bill, originally introduced in 2011 but then scrapped after widespread outcry, “includes vague provisions that will allow Iraqi authorities to harshly punish expression they decide constitutes a threat to governmental, social, or religious interests,” HRW said in a Wednesday press release. 

“This law would give Iraqi authorities yet another tool to suppress dissent over the main medium that journalists, activists, and the general public rely on for information and open debate,” said HRW senior conflict and crisis researcher Belkis Wille. 

“If parliament passes the law, it will further undermine the already narrow field for free speech and stifle public discussion and debate online,” she added.

On November 23, the Iraqi parliament met to discuss the Information Technology (IT) crime bill after it was revived by MPs last year. A second reading is scheduled for next week. 

It aims to penalise the use of computers in connection with illegal activities including money laundering, illicit monitoring and intellectual property violations.

However, overly broad articles "appear to conflict with international law and the Iraqi constitution, and would seriously curtail the right to freedom of expression and association,” according to HRW.

A Twitter hashtag "Withdraw the bill, Kadhimi" was trending in Iraq on Thursday morning, calling on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to scrap the bill. 

The Rights Center for Freedom of Expression Support, an Iraqi NGO that fights for freedom of expression, has voiced concern over the bill.

“The Rights Center condemns the 'information technology crime bill' and calls on President Barham Salih to stop the parliament’s attempt in suppressing people’s freedom,” it said on November 22.

“The bill consists of articles that do not go with the Iraqi constitution or the international conventions that Iraq is a party to. This is despite its strong antagonism toward freedom,” the statement added.

Article 3 of the bill sets a punishment of up to lifetime imprisonment for anyone who intentionally uses a computer and internet for “undermining the independence, unity, or safety of the country, or its supreme economic, political, military, or security interests,” or “participating, negotiating, promoting, contracting with, or dealing with a hostile entity in any way with the purpose of disrupting security and public order or endangering the country.”

Scores of journalists and have come under attack in Iraq, with many killed and kidnapped for covering Iraq’s protest movement. 

Iraq placed third in an index investigating unpunished journalist killings released by Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in October.