Former Prime Minister Sues Journalist

22/7/2024
Former Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi has filed a lawsuit against writer and journalist Qais Hassan for describing Al-Kadhimi as the worst among Iraq’s leaders and rulers.
Hassan received a phone call from the Journalists’ Syndicate informing him of the lawsuit and the date of his court appearance at the Karkh Court of First Instance, scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday.
In late June, Hassan expressed his opinion about Al-Kadhimi, criticizing his poor management of various issues in Iraq. As a result, the former prime minister accused him of defamation and slander.
The Press Freedom Advocacy Association in Iraq wants to highlight that the continuous filing of lawsuits by those in power against media professionals and opinion holders aims to silence critical or opposing viewpoints. This indicates a dangerous trend agreed upon by those in power, at the expense of the constitutional right to criticize and freedom of expression.
This approach signals a dangerous precedent that contradicts the principles of the constitution, which guarantees freedom of journalistic and media work in the country, and threatens to close all spaces for expression and opinion in Iraq.
The association reminds the judiciary of the necessity to adhere to its recommendations regarding the transfer of journalist cases to courts specialized in publishing and public opinion, and to thoroughly review cases brought against them, following the abolition of the publication and media courts in Iraq in 2016.
The association holds the executive and legislative authorities responsible for the harassment and restriction faced by journalists and opinion holders across the country, prioritizing their political interests over the law, the constitution, and treaties that obligate Iraq to fully comply with the freedom of journalistic work and freedom of expression.
The association expresses its full solidarity with QaisHassan and calls on fellow journalists to stand with him against the new repression methods adopted by the political class in recent months.