Amnesty International urges Iraq PM to end death penalty, protect women and activists

LONDON — Amnesty International has sent an open letter to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani calling on his government to combat impunity, protect women's rights, safeguard fundamental freedoms and abolish the death penalty. The rights group said women survivors of violence, particularly of so-called honor killings, lack adequate protection and that existing laws weaken their rights. The letter, made public on Wednesday, also raised concerns about continued restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and the press, as well as intimidation of journalists. Amnesty said several activists, academics and journalists have been killed in recent years, while some individuals, including foreign nationals, have been abducted. Amnesty's Iraq researcher Razaw Salihi called for the swift adoption of a comprehensive law against gender-based violence, independent investigations into attacks on activists and the removal of restrictions on the media. She urged Sudani to take an immediate and formal position on halting all executions, deliver justice for torture survivors and end the practice without delay. The letter comes as Iraq continues to carry out executions and faces ongoing international scrutiny over its human rights record. No immediate response from Sudani's office was reported.