UNAMI calls on Iraqi authorities to protect civilians as protests turn increasingly violent

Lawk Ghafuri

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) has called on Iraqi authorities to protect civilians as violence  continues to grip protests across the south.

“Violent suppression of peaceful protesters is intolerable and must be  avoided at all costs. Nothing is more damaging than a climate of fear.  Accountability and justice for victims is critical to building trust,  legitimacy and resilience.” read a press release published on Monday.

In the press release, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Iraq, urged a “renewed  push for reform" and expressed concern over "ongoing human rights violations.”

Iraqi leaders must "put words into action" and put the needs of the country before their own, the UNAMI chief added. 

"While there was public acknowledgement by all actors that urgent  reform is needed, it is now high time to put these words into action  and to avoid further derailing of these protests by those pursuing  their own objectives, not wishing well for this country and its people," the statement said.

Iraqis have been protesting in central and southern parts of Iraq for  more than 100 days, demanding real changes in the country and  threatening to topple the political class that has held power since  2005.

Protesters have been met with brutal force from security forces, many being killed after being hit with tear-gas canisters. 

Violence has increased over the past two days as protesters continue to be targeted by security forces, especially in the capital Baghdad.

Protests have continue with vigour in Baghdad, with demonstrators blocking main highways and streets  to put further pressure on the government and parliament. 

Young Iraqis first took to the streets on October 1 demanding jobs,  services, and an end to corruption.

When protests resumed on October 25, following the Shiite religious  observance of Arbaeen, their demands became more  revolutionary, calling for the overthrow of the post-2003 political  order.

More than 510 protesters and members of the security forces have been  killed and around 17,000 more wounded since October 1.