AUGUST 26, 2025
Legislative Analysis: Online Violence in Iraq and The Kurdistan Region

Online violence is generally understood to refer to a broad array of harmful acts and behaviors that may be threatened, committed, facilitated, or aggravated through the use of information and communications technology (ICT).

In today’s increasingly digital world, online violence can pose serious threats to safety and security – with the potential for especially profound consequences in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, where high rates of violence, limited protection frameworks, and social pressures can amplify risks for survivors.

This analysis examines key international and national legal frameworks relevant to combating online violence in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. It emphasizes a balanced and comprehensive legislative response to combating online violence — with a focus on prevention, protection, prosecution, reparation, and integrated policies — and concludes with targeted recommendations to support the Government of Iraq (GOI) and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in developing legislation to address this growing threat.

Authors: Adnan Qadir, Kristin Perry