A strongly worded message to al-Zaydi: There is no legitimacy without revealing the killers of the protesters and the disappeared, and ending impunity.
A strongly worded message to al-Zaydi: There is no legitimacy without revealing the killers of the protesters and the disappeared, and ending impunity.
2026-04-28
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights warned Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi on Tuesday against limiting the new government program to power-sharing and the distribution of positions, stressing that the real test for the next government begins with revealing the killers of the demonstrators, resolving the issue of the disappeared, and ending impunity.
The observatory said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Al-Zaidi’s appointment comes at one of the most sensitive and complex stages in the history of modern Iraq, in light of the accumulation of political, economic and security crises, and the widening gap of trust between the citizen and the state.
He added that any government program that does not place the protection of the Iraqi people, their dignity and freedoms at the heart of its priorities will be incapable of bringing about real change, no matter what political or economic promises it carries.
He stressed that al-Zaydi, as the one tasked with forming the government and coming from a human rights background, is required to prove that justice is not just political rhetoric, but a state policy capable of confronting the centers of influence that have obstructed the law for years.
The observatory pointed out that the first real test for the next government is the issue of the killers of demonstrators, activists and journalists, which has become a symbol of the state’s impotence in the face of weapons and political influence over the past years.
He stressed that the continuation of this case without accountability sends a dangerous message that the killing of citizens can go unpunished, demanding that the true results of the investigations be revealed and that those directly responsible and those who provided them with political or security cover be held accountable.
Regarding the issue of the disappeared and enforced disappearances, the Observatory described the issue as an “open wound” in the Iraqi consciousness, calling on the next government to officially acknowledge the extent of the violations, reveal the fate of the disappeared, and ensure that those involved are held accountable.
He also warned against the continued use of security services and vague laws to silence critical voices and persecute journalists, activists and opinion leaders, stressing that democracy cannot take root in an environment where citizens are afraid to express their opinions or expose corruption.
The observatory called for a review of legislation restricting freedoms, preventing the use of state institutions as tools to exert pressure on the media and civil society, in addition to opening the file on prisons and detention centers in light of the continued reports of torture, ill-treatment and arrest outside legal contexts.
He stressed that the next government will face a daily test regarding its respect for the constitution and basic rights, not just an opportunity to improve its media image, emphasizing that building a stable and just state does not begin with political deals, but with respecting the Iraqi people and their right to justice, security and dignity.
The ruling Shiite coalition forces in Iraq announced on Monday evening the nomination of al-Zaidi for the premiership, following the withdrawal of outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, from the race for the position.
shafaq.com
