Iraq’s Ministry of Culture has revived regulations forbidding the import of some books, prompting critics to accuse it of restoring Saddam Hussein-era censorship. The ministry has begun requiring publishers to submit lists of titles for approval. Officials have said the ban is on books glorifying jihadi violence and martyrdom. Read more here
NEWS
Iraq revives book censorship
Iraq’s Ministry of Culture has revived regulations forbidding the import of some books, prompting critics to accuse it of restoring Saddam Hussein-era censorship. The ministry has begun requiring publishers to submit lists of titles for approval. Officials have said the ban is on books glorifying jihadi violence and martyrdom. Read more here
30 Jul 09
READ MORE
-
Index on Censorship welcomes the release of Palestinian human rights defender and lawyer Diala Ayesh
Ayesh was released from administrative detention on 14 January 2025 by Israeli authorities
-
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 2034 World Cup is just another attempt at sportswashing
Undemocratic states that seek to exploit soft power to hide their human rights abuses should be condemned, not celebrated
-
How can Gaza rebuild its culture?
With a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas now imminent, Index reflects on the damage done to Palestine’s cultural institutions
-
What could Assad’s downfall mean for freedom of expression in Syria?
Syrian journalists have been subjected to free speech violations for decades. Could the future hold hope for a more open media landscape?