Through history, Iraqi scholars have contributed to the development of political thought. Today, however, there is no political debate, nor are there even articles in Iraqi newspapers that question the government. Those who have tried are now in exile or dead.

In September 1999, Hashem Hasan, a noted journalist and Baghdad University professor, was arrested after he declined an appointment as editor of one of Uday Hussein's government-controlled publications. His fate is unknown. Press freedom is nonexistent because the government controls the media. Although the Iraqi Constitution provides for freedom of assembly, citizens of Iraq are not permitted to assemble for any purpose other than to express support for the government. They are also not permitted to leave Iraq and travel like citizens living in free countries. Specific government authorization, expensive exit visas, and a requirement that the government must be paid collateral in order to travel are all examples of how Saddam Hussein holds Iraqi citizens hostage in a country many want to leave. Professors and journalists who are allowed to leave the country are interrogated upon their return to ensure that they are still "loyal" to the Iraqi government.

The Iraqi Constitution also provides for freedom of religion that does not violate "morality and public order." However, freedom of religion is virtually nonexistent in Saddam Hussein's Iraq. The Iraqi Shi'a community makes up approximately 60 percent of the Iraqi population, yet the Ba'th party, comprised of Sunni Arabs, controls power and has outlawed most common methods of Shi'a prayer. In many areas, Shi'a Muslims are not allowed to participate in their Friday prayers. Shi'a programs are completely banned on the government-controlled radio and television, and Shi'a prayer books and guides cannot be published in Iraq. Thousands of Shi'a writings have been prohibited throughout Iraq.

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