IHCHR: demonstrators use violence against security forces in Baghdad
Shafaq News / The Independent High Commission for Human Rights (IHCHR) in Iraq expressed its concern that a number of demonstrators have used force against security forces in Al-Wathba Square in the capital, Baghdad.
A statement by the commission stated that it had documented a number of cases of violence and assault on the security forces from some non-peaceful demonstrators by using Molotov cocktails as well as the use of firearms and hand grenades towards the security forces on February 9-10 in
Al -Wathba Square in Baghdad Governorate, which caused two soldiers to be injured , including two with different injuries, which is a flagrant violation of human rights and a violation of the peaceful demonstrations.
IHCHR calls on the security forces and the demonstrators to further cooperation, coordination and screening of the abusers who are trying to deflect the demonstrations from their peacefulness and to stay in the places for the demonstration, and to prevent clashes with the security forces and prevent the encroachment on shops and commercial buildings in the region.
It also called on peaceful demonstrators, in cooperation with the security forces to protect public and private property, emphasize on the security forces to preserve the lives of the demonstrators and protect the peaceful demonstration and sit-in square.
At least 543 people have been killed since the beginning of the anti-power demonstrations in Iraq on the first of last October, according to the governmental human rights commission in its latest report.
The Commission stated that the assassinations targeted 22 activists, while it 72 others are missing , some of whom are believed to be still detained by the authorities who arrested them.
According to the same report, there were 2,700 arrests of activists, 328 of whom are still in detention.
The United Nations has accused armed groups of being behind the campaigns of assassination, kidnapping and threat against activists, in an attempt to suppress unprecedented movements in Iraq, which is ranked 16th on the list of the most corrupt countries in the world.
