Latest news with #FadelAl-Gharawi
Shafaq News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq frees +3,400 prisoners under new Amnesty Law
Shafaq News/ Iraq released 3,441 inmates from various correctional facilities since the implementation of the General Amnesty Law began, up to May 19, an Iraqi official announced on Tuesday. The Director General of the Ministry of Justice's Correctional Department, Majid Al-Manzour, noted in a statement that the releases are part of the ministry's ongoing legal procedures to enforce the law's provisions in coordination with the relevant judicial authorities. 'Internal teams are working to expedite the review of inmate files to ensure those eligible for amnesty are released in accordance with legal conditions,' he stated, stressing the ministry's commitment to implementing the law with a sense of responsibility and fairness. On May 13, Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council announced the release of more than 19,000 prisoners under the law and confirmed the recovery of significant state funds. Earlier, Fadel Al-Gharawi, Head of the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, told Shafaq News that some released individuals may reoffend or struggle to reintegrate into society if not provided with adequate support before release. Those concerns were reinforced by recent security reports. The police command in Najaf province announced on Monday the arrest of three individuals—recently released under the Amnesty Law—who confessed to involvement in a series of thefts.
Iraqi News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq improves in 2025 World Press Freedom Index
Baghdad ( – Iraq has climbed to 155th place globally in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2025 World Press Freedom Index, an improvement from 169th in 2024 and 172nd in 2023. The Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq highlighted the ranking on Saturday (May 3, 2025), while noting an 'unprecedented deterioration' in press freedom worldwide. Fadel Al-Gharawi, head of the center, acknowledged the progress but emphasized persistent challenges. While ranking above some regional neighbours like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Iraq still tragically holds the record for the most journalists killed globally over the past 30 years (over 340). Al-Gharawi cited ongoing issues like restrictive laws, lack of media independence, and impunity for attacks against journalists as major concerns across the region and globally. The rights center strongly urged the Iraqi government and parliament to enact crucial legislation, including a 'Right to Access Information' law and a comprehensive press freedom protection law. Al-Gharawi called for enhanced security for journalists, prosecution of attackers to end impunity, and revising restrictive laws to align with international standards and the Iraqi constitution. While welcoming the improved ranking, the center stressed that sustained legislative and protective measures are vital for fostering true press freedom and democracy in Iraq, calling it a national responsibility.
Shafaq News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq: A deadly place for journalists despite slight freedom index rise
Shafaq News/ Global press freedom is deteriorating at an unprecedented rate, with Iraq still struggling to safeguard journalists despite a modest improvement in its international ranking, a leading Iraqi rights advocate said on Saturday. The 2025 Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), ranked Iraq 155th globally, up from 169 in 2024 and 172 in 2023. Fadel Al-Gharawi, head of the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, pointed out that Iraq continues to hold the tragic distinction of having the highest number of journalists killed in the world over the past three decades, 'with more than 340 journalists lost out of a global total of 2,660.' He attributed the uneven global and regional press freedom landscape to "state censorship, restrictive legislation, lack of media independence, rising violations against journalists, and pervasive fear of legal reprisals." Al-Gharawi urged the Iraqi government and parliament to swiftly pass the long-delayed 'Right to Access Information' law to ensure transparency, strengthen anti-corruption efforts, and guarantee freedom of information. He also called for comprehensive legislation to protect journalistic freedoms and establish a safe legal environment for media workers. He further stressed the need to enhance legal and security protections for journalists, prosecute perpetrators of violations, and end the culture of impunity. Al-Gharawi advocated for revising restrictive media laws to align with the constitution and international standards. 'Protecting press freedom is a national responsibility and a cornerstone of Iraq's democratic future,' he said.
Shafaq News
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Human Rights Official: Iraq's crime rate drops 15% in 2024, violent crimes down 20%
Shafaq News/ Iraq recorded a 15% decline in overall crime rates in 2024 compared to the previous year, with significant drops in violent crimes, theft, and drug-related offenses, according to the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq. 'The latest crime indicators from the Interior Ministry show a 20% decrease in violent crimes, including murder and serious assaults,' said Fadel Al-Gharawi, head of the center, in a report on Wednesday. The data showed a 22% drop in homicides, with 1,200 cases recorded in 2024 compared to 1,540 in 2023. Serious assaults also fell 18%, with 3,500 reported cases versus 4,270 the previous year. Theft-related crimes also saw a decline. Home burglaries dropped 10%, with 8,000 cases recorded, down from 8,900 in 2023. Car thefts decreased by 14%, with 5,500 reported cases compared to 6,400 last year. Drug-related offenses also declined, with trafficking cases falling 18% to 2,500 in 2024 from 3,050 a year earlier. Drug use cases dropped 15%, with 4,000 cases recorded compared to 4,700 in 2023. Financial crimes followed the downward trend, with fraud cases dropping 20%, from 1,125 cases in 2023 to 900 this year. Corruption-related crimes, including bribery and embezzlement, fell 25%, with 1,200 cases recorded, down from 1,600 last year. Al-Gharawi urged the Interior Ministry to launch a national crime-fighting strategy, dismantle criminal networks, and focus on combating serious crimes, particularly drug trafficking and human trafficking. He also called for the introduction of "Kafeh" (Combat), an interactive initiative allowing citizens to collaborate with security forces in crime reporting. Additionally, he proposed a "Crime Database Program," an official statistical system to track and analyze crime trends over time.
Shafaq News
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Human Rights Official: 30,000 landmine victims since 2003
Shafaq News/ Iraq is among the world's most landmine-contaminated countries due to decades of wars and conflicts, a human rights official said on Saturday. Head of the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, Fadel Al-Gharawi, stated in a press release that more than 6,600 square kilometers of Iraqi land have been identified as mine-contaminated since 2003. He revealed, 'While over 4,540 square kilometers have been cleared as of 2024, more than 2,000 square kilometers still require demining, Basra is the most affected province, with approximately 1,200 square kilometers of contaminated land, followed by Muthanna and Diyala.' Calling for prioritizing demining efforts in Basra, providing compensation for victims, and raising public awareness about the dangers of landmines, Al-Gharawi urged the Iraqi government and international organizations to launch a large-scale demining campaign, stressing the need for Iraq to be declared mine-free by the end of 2025. 'Official statistics indicate that more than 30,000 Iraqis have been killed or injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance since 2003, including women and children. In 2022 alone, more than 150 people were killed or wounded by landmines across Iraq, while the Kurdistan Region recorded 13,500 victims,' he added. On Friday, three children were killed instantly when a landmine detonated while they were playing football in the Abu Al-Khasib district of southern Basra. Another explosion occurred last Saturday, killing two children and two young men. Basra continues to face persistent threats from landmines and unexploded ordnance left over from past wars, endangering civilians, particularly in agricultural areas and open lands that have yet to undergo full clearance operations.
