Iraq

The Islamic State (ISIS) lost the control of territory in Iraq but continued to carry out attacks on civilians and security installations during 2018. Key human rights challenges in the post-ISIS phase include fair trials for ISIS suspects that allow for victim participation, protection of families of suspected ISIS members from collective punishment, free movement of the displaced, cessation of forced returns and displacements, and accountability for abuses by anti-ISIS forces. Authorities across Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, continue to limit free speech, harass and arrest journalists, as well as resort to excessive use of force against protesters.