Monday, February 17, 2020

Editorial: The attacks on the protesters continue

In Iraq, protesters continue to be targeted.  XINHUA notes:

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on Monday condemned the use of hunting rifles with birdshot in recent protests in Baghdad, which caused high number of casualties.
A statement by Hennis-Plasschaert, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), said that UNAMI received "credible allegations" that peaceful protesters have been targeted by hunting guns on the road between the squares of al-Tahrir and al-Khalani in downtown Baghdad in the evening of Feb. 14 to 16, injuring at least 50 people.


KURDISTAN 24 notes, "The UN Special Envoy has often expressed concern about violence against peaceful protestors since the demonstrations began late last year, but violence has continued."  And ARAB NEWS reports, "There was no immediate comment from Iraqi authorities."

There never is.  Since the start of the protests months ago, over 600 protesters have been killed.  And no one has been held accountable.  Murder is a crime in Iraq.  But somehow no one's gone on trial for these murders -- not for a single one.


Nothing gets accomplished in Iraq, does it?  THE NATIONAL points out, "On Sunday, Iraq’s deputy health minister said politicians in Baghdad have failed to address years of corruption and mismanagement, acknowledging the frustrations that have fuelled months of anti-government protests."


  1. Pretty sure that will express their concerns about Iraqi government forces use of hunting rifles to shoot peaceful protesters 🤐
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