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Iraq

Monthly Event Reports

December 2023 | Iraq holds first local elections in a decade
Election flag

On 18 December, Iraq conducted its first set of provincial elections since 2013. The Independent High Electoral Commission announced the preliminary results, with a turnout of 41 per cent despite a boycott by influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. The ruling Shia Coordination Framework emerged as a major victor, securing 101 out of the 285 available seats. In terms of regional participation, Kirkuk had the highest participation at 66 per cent, where Kurdish candidates won the majority seats. In Baghdad, the coalition led by former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi secured the most votes, followed by a coalition of Iran-backed Shiite parties. Despite minor incidents including the detonation of a stun grenade at a polling station in Najaf and a helicopter crash near Kirkuk (causing one fatality and one injury), the elections were largely peaceful. Women constituted 28 per cent of the candidates and secured 75 seats in the provincial council elections. 

November 2023 | Iraqi Court suspends parliament speaker amid controversy

On 14 November, the Supreme Court suspended parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, following accusations of forgery. The ruling also removed lawmaker Laith Al Dulaimi, a member of al-Halbousi's Taqqadum party, who had accused al-Halbousi of forging his signature on a resignation letter.  Al Halbousi, a prominent Sunni political leader, expressed surprise at the decision and suggested it undermined national stability and violated the constitution. Taqadum Party called the ruling a ‘flagrant violation’ of the constitution and the ministers of culture, planning, and industry resigned in protest. Moreover, Taqadum legislators have initiated a parliamentary boycott in response to the legal action against al-Halbousi. It is anticipated that Sunni parties will appoint a new speaker prior to the provincial elections in December. The Court maintains that its decision, grounded in the Iraqi constitution, is final and unappealable. The court's decision is likely to impact Iraq's political landscape ahead of next month's provincial elections. As one of Iraq’s most influential Sunni politicians, al-Halbousi’s removal could stir sectarian tensions in the country.

August 2023 | Repressive anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation introduced

On 15 August, the government proposed a law criminalizing homosexuality, penalizing transgender women and anyone perceived as ‘imitating women’ in public. The legislation, which labels same-sex relationships as ‘sexual perversion’, threatens up to seven years in prison and fines of 15 million dinars (11,500 USD) for promoting homosexuality, although it fails to define what this entails. On 9 August, Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission (CMC) directed all media outlets to replace the term ‘homosexuality’ with ‘sexual deviance’ in their published and broadcast language. In addition, the use of the term ‘gender’ was banned as the CMC claimed this language is incompatible with Iraqi society. This move, condemned by international NGOs, has intensified the marginalization of the LGBTQIA+ community, promoting hostility and discrimination. Against this backdrop, anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric from Iraqi officials and clampdowns on human rights groups has intensified in recent months. Reports of violent attacks on LGBTQIA+ individuals, often unpunished, are increasing, pointing to a lack of legal protection.

March 2023 | Parliament approves electoral law amendments sparking controversies

On 27 March, the Parliament of Iraq passed amendments to the electoral law proposed last month, with 275 of 329 legislators voting in favour. The amendments will restore the electoral law of 2018, which provided for one electoral district for each of Iraq’s 18 provinces – a significant reduction from the current 83 electoral districts. The vote was met with outrage from Iraqi opposition and independent lawmakers, who warned that this could spark a new wave of unrest. The current electoral system was adopted in response to the Tishreen mass protests of 2019 and considered one of the major gains from the movement, favouring the emergence of independent candidates and smaller political forces. Iraq’s first provincial council elections in a decade are expected to take place on 6 November, and the new electoral law will be applied during the vote. This has raised concerns as Iraq’s established and ruling parties, widely criticized for rampant corruption, will likely further entrench their hold on power. 

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GSoD Indices Data 2013-2022

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Basic Information

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Population Tooltip
41 179 350
System of government
Parliamentary system
Head of government
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani (since 2022)
Head of government party
Independent
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
Single Non-Transferable Vote
Women in lower or single chamber
28.9%
Women in upper chamber
Not applicable
Last legislative election
2021
Effective number of political parties Tooltip
5.63
Head of state
President Abdul Latif Rashid
Selection process for head of state
Indirect election (assembly)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
11/11/2019
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
82.21%
Population Tooltip
41 179 350
System of government
Parliamentary system
Head of government
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani (since 2022)
Head of government party
Independent
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
Single Non-Transferable Vote
Women in lower or single chamber
28.9%
Women in upper chamber
Not applicable
Last legislative election
2021
Effective number of political parties Tooltip
5.63
Head of state
President Abdul Latif Rashid
Selection process for head of state
Indirect election (assembly)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
11/11/2019
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
82.21%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
No Action
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
State Party
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
State Party
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
Regional Treaties
Arab Charter on Human Rights
State Party
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Performance by category over the last 6 months

Representation neutral Representation
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Representation neutral Rights
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Representation neutral Rule of law
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Representation neutral Participation
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Feb 2024

Global State of Democracy Indices

Hover over the trend lines to see the exact data points across the years

Explore the indices
Representation
Representation
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/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
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/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
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/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Annual value

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

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