This archive report was first published on 4 October 2019.
On October 4, 2019, the United Nations (UN) rights office called on the Iraqi government to allow people to freely exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The appeal came as protesters continued to clash with anti-riot police on a fourth day of mass rallies that had left 34 people dead, according to an AFP count.
UN rights office spokeswoman Marta Hurtado said they had independently confirmed 12 of those deaths in Baghdad, adding that hundreds of other people had reportedly been injured, including members of the security forces.
"Dozens of demonstrators have been detained, although most were subsequently released," she said.
The demonstrations, which began in Baghdad on Tuesday, were unprecedented in their apparent spontaneity and independence in a country where rallies are typically called by politicians or religious figures.
"We are worried by reports that security forces have used live ammunition and rubber bullets in some areas, and have also fired tear gas cannisters directly at protestors," Hurtado said.
She insisted that in dealing with demonstrations, "the use of force should be exceptional" and that any use of force must comply with applicable international human rights norms and standards.
"All incidents in which the actions of security forces have resulted in death and injury should be promptly, independently and transparently investigated," she said.
