Iraq
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
30 / 100
Not Free
Internet Freedom
43 / 100
Partly Free
Iraq holds regular, competitive elections, and the country’s various partisan, religious, and ethnic groups generally enjoy representation in the political system. However, democratic governance is impeded in practice by corruption, militias operating outside the bounds of the law, and the weakness of formal institutions.
Research & Recommendations
Iraq
Not Free
30
100
| PR Political Rights | 16 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 14 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
29
100
Not Free
Global freedom statuses are calculated on a weighted scale.
See the methodology.
Overview
Iraq holds regular, competitive elections, and the country’s various partisan, religious, and ethnic groups generally enjoy representation in the political system. However, democratic governance is impeded in practice by corruption, militias operating outside the bounds of the law, and the weakness of formal institutions. In the Kurdistan region, democratic institutions lack the strength to contain the influence of the two ruling parties, each maintaining its own internal security forces, ready to repress dissidents and peaceful protesters. Increasingly, Tehran has been able to influence politics in Baghdad. State officials and powerful militias routinely infringe upon the rights of citizens through legal and extrajudicial means.
Freedom in the World 2024 Policy Recommendations
Provide steady support and flexible funding to those on the front lines of the struggle against tyranny.
Democratic governments and donors must increase and sustain support for those working to defend and promote fundamental freedoms around the world. Failure to do so emboldens autocrats and can result in the loss of hard-won progress.
Uphold the rights of people living in disputed territories.
The events of the past year in places such as Nagorno-Karabakh and the Gaza Strip provided stark evidence that populations without self-determination are at greater risk of extreme human rights abuses or atrocities.
Protect free and fair elections in 2024.
At least 40 countries are holding national-level elections in 2024, and many more will conduct other types of balloting. Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of any democracy, and independent and transparent electoral processes are necessary to foster genuine competition and public trust.
Iraq
Partly Free
43
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 11 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 17 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 15 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
42
100
Partly Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the research methodology and report acknowledgements.
Overview
Internet freedom in Iraq, including the Kurdistan region, is limited. While internet speeds and access have improved due to recent infrastructural investments, Iraq still has some of the region’s weakest telecommunications networks and highest costs. During the coverage period, authorities launched a crackdown on social media users. Legislation that could increase government-ordered censorship and increase criminal penalties for a wide swath of online speech was also proposed. Security forces routinely arrest internet users, and physical attacks against journalists, activists, and social media users due to their online activity are common. These violations, which have created an environment of fear, have forced many Iraqis to self-censor. Others, particularly reporters, have left the country.
Freedom on the Net 2023 Policy Recommendations
Promote freedom of expression and access to information.
Freedom of expression online is increasingly under attack as governments continue to restrict connectivity and block social media platforms and websites that host political, social, and religious speech. Protecting freedom of expression will require strong legal and regulatory safeguards.
Defend information integrity in the age of AI.
Even before the new wave of generative artificial intelligence (AI) products, AI was a key factor in the crisis of information integrity, serving as an intensifier in environments that were already vulnerable to manipulation. However, advancements in generative AI will supercharge the creation and dissemination of false and misleading content.
Combat disproportionate government surveillance.
Governments worldwide have passed increasingly disproportionate surveillance laws, and can access a booming commercial market for surveillance tools, giving them the capacity to flout the rule of law and monitor the private communications of individuals inside and beyond their borders.
News and Updates
Featured
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Global Freedom Score
30
/ 100
Not Free
Internet Freedom Score
43
/ 100
Partly Free
Population: 44,500,000
Internet Facts
Status
Partly Free
Networks Restricted
Yes
Social Media Blocked
Yes
Websites Blocked
No
Pro-government Commentators
Yes
Users Arrested
Yes
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
October 10, 2021
Type of Election
Parliamentary
Internet Penetration
68.59%
Election Year
2021
Vulnerability Index
38
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Not Tracked