Iraq's Culture Ministry statement backing lawmaker draws political criticism

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A statement issued by Iraq's Culture Ministry has drawn criticism from political circles and the public for appearing to defend a sitting member of parliament, lawmaker Semia Ghulab of the Tevzen Party, political observers said. Critics said the ministry's publication of the statement amounted to the institution adopting an advocacy role on behalf of one political side, and argued this fell outside its cultural and institutional mandate. The wording and the decision to release the text have prompted questions about the ministry's working methods and the limits of its authority. Commentators called on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani to review the process by which such statements are approved and published, and to hold those involved in drafting the text accountable within the framework of institutional responsibility. Officials stressed that state institutions must be kept at arm's length from any form of political alignment. No further details on the ministry's position or any response from al-Sudani's office were immediately available.