Iraq violated human rights during crackdown on protesters, says UN

The Iraqi government has committed serious human rights violations in their response to the anti-government protests that took place earlier this month killing over 157 civilians, a United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) report said on Wednesday. The official inquiry had earlier found evidence of sniper fire which targetted protesters from inside a building in central Baghdad.

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Evidence of excessive force against demonstrators

UNAMI report which was published by its human rights office on Monday said that evidence suggested use of excessive force against protesters and mass arrests were made. There were reports that security forces did not allow protesters to undergo medical treatment, the UN report said. In its conclusion, the report said that UNAMI's findings suggested that there were serious human rights violations and abuses which have been committed with anti-government protests in Iraq. 

The report stated that the death toll, and extent and scale of injuries which were inflicted on protestors suggest that Iraqi forces have used excessive force against protesters in Baghdad and other areas across the country.

The security crackdown came in response to protests that erupted on October 1 against high unemployment rate, poor public services, and corruption. Protesters have cited graft, infighting amongst the political leaders for failing to improve their lives even in peaceful times.

UNAMI stated its report that it had conducted 145 interviews between October1-16 with human rights monitors, journalists, civil society activists, protesters, family members of killed demonstrators and others. Journalists who had covered the protests had stated to UNAMI that they were given threats of intimidation and harassment.

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An official inquiry found the use of Sniper Fire

An official investigation earlier had found proof of sniper rifle. The findings were made after investigators found shells inside the vacant building. As per reports, authorities had said that militias were positioned on buildings during the anti-government protests. 

(With inputs from agencies) 

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