civil society organizations and human rights defenders

Cases
Location of case in SG report
2024-066-001
Relevant SG report
Year of the report
2024
Country Geolocation

Latitude: 33.223191

Longitude: 43.679291

Country Geolocation (linked Cases)
Iraq
From Region
Type of record
General situation addressed
Individual's/organization's activity

those working on “gender” and “gender equality issues,” and including those participating in events organised by the United Nations

Type of rights defended
  • Unclear in SG Report
  • Women’s rights
Was the victim a civil servant or member of the security forces or of the judiciary?
No
Reported trigger of reprisal

those working on “gender” and “gender equality issues,” and including those participating in events organised by the United Nations

Engagement with UN body
  • UN Peace Operation / Political mission
Type of attempted engagement
  • Unclear
Dates of mentioned reprisals
19 November 2023
Location of mentioned reprisals
Iraq
Reprisal information
  1. During the reporting period, the Human Rights Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) documented incidents of online intimidation of civil society organizations and human rights defenders by unidentified actors, in particular targeting those working on “gender” and “gender equality issues,” and including those participating in events organised by the United Nations Names and details of those concerned are withheld due to fear of further reprisals.
  2. In its circular of 19 November 2023, the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers instructed that the term “gender” be replaced with the phrase “justice between the two sexes” in official government documents, updating its earlier circular of 27 July that had allowed the continued use of the term “gender” provided that it was followed by the phrase “men and women”.18 During the reporting period, the Human Rights Office documented increased government restrictions on civil society organisations whose activities explicitly support women’s empowerment and gender equality, including those engaging with the United Nations
Types of reprisals suffered
  • Online harassment
  • Threats/Intimidations (incl. "fear of reprisal")
Alleged/likely perpetrators
State actors
Was the reprisal based on new legislation?
No
Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?
No
Was the case raised by a State at the UN?
No
Is the country cited for a "pattern of reprisal" in the context of this case?
No
Is a pattern of reprisals mentioned otherwise in the context of this case?
No
Does the report cite "self-censorship" as an issue in the context of this case?
Yes