ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Iraqi parliament is set to discuss and vote on several draft laws during Saturday’s session, including a proposed bill on freedom of expression and peaceful protest that has raised concerns among journalists and political figures.

Lawmakers say the current version of the draft includes vague and broad language that could be used to restrict, rather than protect, basic freedoms.

“There is wide opposition in the parliament to the law in its current form,” MP Hadi al-Salami told The New Region. “It includes unclear terms that could be interpreted in a way that limits freedoms instead of defending them.”

Salami said the draft law could legitimize security crackdowns on citizens and warned that it poses a threat to constitutional rights guaranteed by Iraq’s legal system.

“Freedom of opinion, expression and peaceful protest are constitutional rights. Any law that organizes these rights must protect them, not become a threat to them,” he said. “What we see in this version is an attempt to silence voices and give legal cover to security restrictions.”

The lawmaker said he and others are not against regulation, but added that “regulation should not become a form of control or fear.”

He urged all political blocs to revise the bill to align with international human rights standards and reflect the sacrifices Iraqis have made to secure their freedoms.

Saturday’s session has yet to be held as of the writing of this article due to not meeting quorum.

MP Ali al-Saadi on Saturday submitted a proposal for amendments to the controversial bill.