News from Civsy, based on generative AI tools and retrieval-augumented real time data searchAfter nearly a year of political deadlock following the October 2021 parliamentary elections, Iraq's parliament finally selected Abdul Latif Rashid as the new president on October 13, 2022. Rashid subsequently nominated Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani for the position of prime minister, marking a critical step toward resolving Iraq's prolonged political crisis [2][3]. Since 2022, Iraq has witnessed a significant escalation in censorship and harassment targeting artists, cultural workers, and creative communities.
Under the guise of preserving public morals and societal values, the government has implemented mechanisms such as the Ballegh platform (“report”), vague morality laws, and politically motivated censorship. These measures have systematically stifled artistic freedom, narrowed the public sphere, and created an environment where creativity is criminalized [4][5]. This article explores key incidents, systemic trends, and the broader implications of repression on Iraq’s cultural landscape.
The Ballegh Platform: Institutionalizing Digital Surveillance
In January 2023, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior launched the Ballegh platform, an online reporting system that allows citizens to flag social media content deemed “indecent” or harmful to public morals. Promoted as a tool to uphold societal values, Ballegh quickly became a mechanism for state repression. By February 2023, it had received 96,000 complaints, escalating to over 152,000 by August 2024[4][5]. Complaints filed through Ballegh are processed under Article 403 of Iraq’s Penal Code, a vaguely worded provision from 1969 that criminalizes acts “violating public integrity or decency” [4][5].
The platform’s design fostered a culture of fear among artists and creators. For example, Hassan Sajamah, a YouTuber known for light-hearted street interviews about relationships, was sentenced to two years in prison in early 2023 for “indecent speech” [4]. Similarly, TikTok creator Asal Hussam received a two-year sentence for posting dance videos considered immoral [4]. Tragically, Om Fahad (Ghufran Mahdi Sawadi), another influencer sentenced to six months for similar content, was assassinated in April 2024 outside her Baghdad home after receiving online threats [8]. Her death underscored the lethal intersection of state prosecution and societal violence against women challenging conservative norms.
Human rights groups condemned Ballegh as a tool of repression. Legal experts like Dlovan Brawri argued that terms such as “public decency” were intentionally vague, enabling authorities to criminalize everything from satire to feminist advocacy [4][5]. The platform’s opacity worsened its impact: targets often learned of complaints only upon arrest, with no avenue to contest accusations pre-emptively.
Censorship Beyond social media: The Silencing of Al-Kasir
In March 2023, Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission (CMC) ordered the cancellation of Al-Kasir, a TV drama accused of violating “values and traditions” after complaints from parliamentarians and tribal leaders. Despite a review by the Iraqi Artists Syndicate finding no offensive material in the series, political pressures led to its removal from UTV Satellite Channel [1]. The cancellation exemplified how state mechanisms silence creative works that challenge conservative norms or address sensitive topics. The CMC’s increasing alignment with militia-linked political factions further highlights the politicization of media regulation in Iraq[1].
Harassment of Musicians: Reclaiming Culture in Mosul
Musicians in Mosul face unique challenges stemming from societal conservatism and the lingering effects of ISIS’s occupation. During ISIS control of the city, musical instruments were destroyed or hidden as part of the group’s campaign against cultural expression [6]. Although Mosul has since been liberated, musicians continue to encounter threats from conservative groups opposing public performances.
In September 2024, the Maqam Music Festival was held in Mosul Forest—a former ISIS training ground—as an act of cultural resistance. Featuring performances by Maqam masters mentored by jazz artist Amir El-Saffar, the festival celebrated Iraq’s rich musical heritage while underscoring ongoing struggles faced by artists reclaiming public spaces for art [7].
Female Artists: Navigating Gender-Based Challenges
Female artists across Iraq face heightened risks due to societal disapproval and gender-based harassment. In one tragic case from early 2023, TikTok influencer Om Fahad was murdered after receiving online threats for her dance videos challenging conservative norms [8]. Similarly, musicians like Sally Mars—Baghdad’s first female heavy metal guitarist—have faced significant societal backlash for defying traditional gender roles. Mars founded Fann Khana in Baghdad in 2023 as a safe space for artists to learn and collaborate away from societal judgment [9]. Her initiative represents an act of defiance against attempts to stifle creativity but also highlights systemic barriers faced by women in Iraq’s arts sector.
The Situation for Artists in Kurdish Iraq
In Kurdish Iraq, artists face distinct challenges shaped by political dynamics and societal conservatism. The regional government has been criticized for silencing dissenting voices through harassment and imprisonment. For instance, Blind Amedi—a Kurdish artist—was sentenced to six months in prison in December 2022 for producing a video highlighting activists’ detention during anti-government protests [10]. His trial was marked by judicial irregularities that raised concerns about fairness and transparency.
Female artists also encounter significant obstacles due to entrenched gender norms. Activists like Jine Atroshi have faced death threats for addressing sensitive issues such as animal rights through their work [11]. Despite these risks, Atroshi continues her advocacy from exile in Norway.
Cultural initiatives like Houzan Mahmoud’s Culture Project aim to use art as a vehicle for social change but operate within an environment where funding is scarce, and political patronage dominates access to resources [12].
Resilient Initiatives
Amid repression, several initiatives have emerged as acts of resistance against censorship and harassment. In Mosul, efforts to revive cultural traditions devastated by ISIS have gained momentum through festivals celebrating Maqam music—a centuries-old tradition revitalized by mentorship programs led by Amir El-Saffar [7]. In Baghdad, Tarkib Contemporary Art Festival provides a multidisciplinary platform for emerging artists while navigating societal conservatism and political sensitivities [13]. Similarly, Baghdad Photo Week highlights photographers documenting Iraq’s complex realities while preserving cultural memory amidst repression [14]. Fann Khana has become a vital space for creative expression under Sally Mars’ leadership. By offering workshops and studio space free from judgment or harassment, it fosters collaboration among young artists seeking refuge from societal hostility toward artistic expression [9].
Despite systemic repression
Since November 2022, censorship and harassment in Iraq have escalated under mechanisms like the Ballegh platform and vague morality laws targeting artists across disciplines. From musicians striving to revive cultural traditions in Mosul to photographers preserving historical archives amid conflict in Baghdad and beyond—artists remain resilient despite systemic repression.
However, these cases underscore an urgent need for reforms that protect freedom of expression and foster an environment where art can flourish without fear of censorship or persecution. Without such changes, Iraq risks losing not only its artists but also its cultural soul—a loss that would irreparably erode its rich heritage and capacity for creative resistance.
Citations:[1] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/44218031/97fe1ec4-a4a8-444a-a71f-5a022dffab9b/paste.txt[2] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/profile-who-is-iraq-s-new-president-abdul-latif-rashid/2711101[3] https://www.axios.com/2022/10/13/iraq-parliament-new-president-abdul-latif-rashid[4] https://smex.org/iraqs-controversial-ballegh-platform-for-combating-indecent-content/[5] https://www.article19.org/resources/iraq-balgh-platform-marks-two-years-as-tool-of-repression/[6] https://yementimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20050613_issue_850_vol_V_16pages.pdf[7] https://www.kashkul.com/events[8] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/27/iraqi-tiktok-star-om-fahad-shot-dead-in-baghdad-night-attack[9] https://ideasbeyondborders.org/harmony-amidst-chaos-an-oasis-for-iraqi-artists/[10] https://www.newarab.com/news/30-seconds-music-costs-kurdish-artist-six-months-jail[11] https://theinsightinternational.com/kurdish-artist-threatened-death-2025-01-29[12] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houzan_Mahmoud[13] https://mohit.art/network/tarkib-baghdad-contemporary-art-institute/[14] https://en.964media.com/29009/
