policy
This development comes within a political and legislative scene aimed at enhancing internal stability and protecting national and societal security in the country, as Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi announced on Monday his full support for the legal measures taken by the government to protect civil peace, enforce the law, and confine weapons to the state, emphasizing the importance of integrated joint efforts to address speeches that threaten civil peace and community stability. In a related context, the media office of the Parliament Speaker stressed in an official statement issued today that, within the framework of the constitutional responsibility entrusted to state institutions in protecting citizens' security and preserving public stability, the Parliament Speaker stresses the need to achieve a delicate balance between guaranteeing freedom of opinion, expression, and journalistic work guaranteed by the constitution, and strict adherence to legal and professional controls, in a way that prevents the exploitation of these freedoms to incite violence and internal fighting or support weapons outside the framework of the state. The statement added that the Parliament Speaker, proceeding from his legislative and oversight roles, announces his support for those government measures aimed at protecting civil peace, enforcing the law, confining weapons to the state, and holding accountable anyone proven to be involved in inciting violence or threatening the security of citizens and the stability of the country, in accordance with the constitution and applicable laws, and in a manner that ensures the preservation of rights, freedoms, and legal guarantees, and the application of the law to everyone without exception. The Parliament Speaker affirmed that freedom of expression and journalistic work represent a grave national and societal responsibility, and that preserving security and stability necessarily requires a responsible discourse that respects the law and refrains from incitement and stirring up divisions. Al-Halbousi also stressed the importance of integrating efforts between the legislative, executive, and judicial authorities and all state institutions to protect society and address speeches that threaten civil peace and consolidate the rule of law, in a way that preserves Iraq's security, unity, and stability. The statement continued, explaining that after intensive consultations held between the Parliament Speaker, the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, the President of the Republic, and the Prime Minister, an official agreement was reached to proceed with legislating the information technology crimes law, in a way that contributes effectively to protecting society, affirming that workshops in this context are continuing continuously with the participation of concerned authorities and international agencies with the aim of maturing the law, while emphasizing the Parliament Speaker's keenness to guarantee freedom of opinion and expression and achieve the required balance between the requirements of protecting society and preserving public rights and freedoms.
