U.N. urges security forces to show restraint as Iraqis demonstrate

Record ID: 1438673

  • Title: U.N. urges security forces to show restraint as Iraqis demonstrate
  • Date: 25th October 2019
  • Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (OCTOBER 25, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS RUNNING AS TEAR GAS IS FIRED TO DISPERSE THEM AFTER CROSSING A BRIDGE LEADING TO BAGHDAD'S FORTIFIED GREEN ZONE PROTESTERS RUNNING / AUDIO OF TEAR GAS CANISTERS BEING FIRED PROTESTERS RUNNING / PROTESTERS CARRYING AN INJURED MAN AND RUNNING PROTESTERS TRYING TO REMOVE BARBED WIRES SET UP ON AL-JUMHURIYA BRIDGE LEADING TO THE BAGHDAD'S FORTIFIED GREEN ZONE PROTESTERS CARRYING FLAGS WALKING PAST RIOT POLICE AMBULANCE DRIVING WITH SIRENS ON GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (OCTOBER 25, 2019) (REUTERS) UNITED NATIONS BUILDING U.N. NEWS BRIEFING ONGOING (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS AGENCY (OHCHR) SPOKESWOMAN, RAVINA SHAMDASANI, SAYING: "Large protests are expected in Iraq today and indeed were already underway late yesterday, and early this morning. We urge calm on all sides, and in particular a carefully calibrated and proportional response by security forces, in full accordance with international standards, so the terrible toll of life and property during the protests at the beginning of this month are not repeated. We are also concerned with the continued blocking of social media and intermittent blocking of the internet in Iraq." BAGHDAD, IRAQ (OCTOBER 5, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SMOKE PLUMES RISING OVER CROWD OF PROTESTERS
  • Embargoed: 8th November 2019 12:01
  • Keywords: Iraq protests U.N. reaction protests in Baghdad
  • Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ / GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
  • City: BAGHDAD, IRAQ / GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Topics: Government/Politics,United Nations
  • Reuters ID: LVA001B2LIH53
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES
    The United Nations on Friday (October 25) urged Iraqi security forces to show restraint and provide a proportionate and calibrated response to protests planned throughout the country, voicing concern after a previous wave of unrest turned into a violent confrontation.
    Sometimes violent unrest erupted in Baghdad on October 1, then spreading to southern cities, and lasting for several days in a row just two weeks ago.
    A report released this week by a government committee set up by Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi concluded that 149 protesters had been killed during the unrest because security forces used excessive force and live fire to quell the protests, while a U.N. report released this week said 157 people were killed, and nearly 6,000 injured.
    Despite the OPED member country's vast oil wealth, many Iraqis live in poverty, have limited access to clean water, electricity, basic healthcare or decent education as the country tries to recover from years of conflict and economic hardship.
    (Production: Marina Depetris)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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