Arrests over Wasit power protests revive Iraq debate on protest handling

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Arrests of residents in Wasit province who protested power cuts and deteriorating public services have renewed debate in Iraq over how authorities treat mass demonstrations. Writer Husam al-Munab said the detentions had turned what should be a legitimate grievance into a security file, noting that Article 28 of the Iraqi Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly and protest. In his commentary, al-Munab argued that demands for basic services are a legally recognized right, not a crime, and warned that a heavy-handed response to citizens seeking reform over unresolved service failures risks deepening social tension. He wrote that citizens are asking for essentials of daily life, not privileges, and that the bill for official failure cannot be passed to the public. The writer said trust between the community and local government can only be rebuilt through genuine dialogue and a sincere response to public demands. He added that the question of whether seeking one's rights will continue to be treated as a crime remains under discussion.