Iraqi Journalist Hadi al-Mehdi Killed

Iraqi journalist and radio commentator Hadi al-Mehdi was shot to death by gunmen in Baghdad on September 9. His killing is thought to be related to his public criticism of the government. Al-Mehdi mobilized Facebook followers on a weekly basis to protest in Tahrir Square. He also hosted radio show “To Whoever Listens,” airing three times a week, but left the show in July fearing for his safety.  Al-Mehdi has been attacked before, he recently had been receiving daily phone, texts, and social media threats, some threats warning him not to return to protests. In February 2011, Army troops arrested, tortured and later released al-Mehdi and several other journalists.  In 2009, gunmen attempted to kill al-Mehdi, and shot him in the neck and head.
 

Security and government conditions continue to pose significant challenges to journalists, who for years have been targeted for their views. One hundred and fifty journalists have been killed since 1992—al-Mehdi’s death brings the number killed in 2011 to five. Iraq’s constitution guarantees freedom of the press, the right to peaceful assembly, and freedom of opinion, as long as they do not “violate public order and morality.” Laws remain in place that that criminalize libel, defamation, the disclosure of state secrets, and  spreading “false news”—with harsh penalties  including an up to seven year prison sentence. Iraqi journalists have repeatedly called on Nouri al-Maliki’s government to investigate assassinations of journalists, but little progress has been made—the number of attacks against journalists has significantly increased since protests began in February 2011. On August 29, prominent journalist Asos Hardi was beaten in Sulaimaniya and hospitalized.

Freedom House condemns the horrific killing of al-Mehdi and calls for a full investigation into his death and for the Iraqi government to take better measures to ensure journalists’ safety in Iraq.

Learn more:

Freedom in the World 2011: Iraq

Freedom of the Press 2010: Iraq

Women’s Rights in the Middle East and North Africa: 2010