Iraq loses its membership in the Human Rights Council for repressing protesters and October 25th ultimatum

[Butifldrm]

Death toll climbs as Iraq unrest hits Baghdad’s volatile Sadr City

 

Smoke rises from burning tyres during as Iraqis demonstrate against state corruption, failing public services and unemployment, in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on October 5, 2019. (File/AFP)

Updated 10 sec ago

REUTERS

October 07, 201911:27

1225

At least 110 people killed in week of unrest

Protesters want prime minister and government removed

BAGHDAD: Protesters began gathering in Baghdad’s Sadr City district late on Monday after overnight clashes with security forces spread to the vast, poor swath of the Iraqi capital for the first time killing 15 people.
The night of violence pushed the death toll after a week of unrest to 110 people. They were mostly protesters demanding the removal of the Iraqi government and overhaul of its political class, as security forces carried out a heavy-handed crackdown on demonstrators.
The spread of the violence into Sadr City on Sunday night poses a new security challenge for authorities dealing with the worst violence in the country since the Daesh group was defeated nearly two years ago.
Unrest is historically difficult to put down in Sadr City, a volatile district where about a third of Baghdad’s 8 million people live in narrow alleys, many with little access to electricity, water and jobs.
Things were quieter on Monday. The military withdrew troops and handed over patrols of the district to federal police early in the day, an indication authorities want to avoid clashes with supporters of the powerful opposition cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr who has called for the government to step down.
A Sadr City resident reached by phone told Reuters that the streets were calm during the day. Local militiamen were coming to inspect damage and police were deployed around the district’s neighborhoods.
The uprising over the past week has abruptly ended two years of relative calm unseen in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. Many Iraqis, especially young people, say entrenched government corruption means they received no benefit from returning stability after years of foreign occupation and sectarian civil war.
Critics say the government’s fierce response to the protests has inflamed public rage.
Reuters journalists have witnessed protesters being killed and wounded by snipers from the security forces firing into crowds from rooftops though the interior ministry denies government forces have shot directly at protesters.
The Internet was restored on Monday afternoon, after being shut down across the country for days. But the communications vacuum allowed discontent to spread.
“The crackdown plus the Internet blackout are angering people and it won’t calm the situation,” Jassim Al-Hilfi, a lawmaker from the bloc of Moqtada Al-Sadr, who is boycotting parliament, told Reuters.
“People will not be silenced, and the politicians are not capable of meeting their demands.”

OPINION

Sir John Jenkins

Only genuine, radical and deep-seated reform can save Iraq

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President Barham Salih, whose role is normally above the day-to-day political fray, condemned attacks on protesters and the media, and called for an investigation into the violence.
“Our security forces, in its various forms, must defend and support the people,” Salih said in televised remarks. “They must firmly confront those who violated the constitution by attacking citizens and the security forces, and terrorizing the media.”
In his address, he also called for ministerial changes and electoral reforms to address protesters’ grievances, adding that those affected by the violence this week should be compensated.
Demonstrators have been calling for “the downfall of the regime,” echoing demands in Arab Spring protests that swept across the Middle East in 2011. It is unclear how their demands could be met by the powerful Shiite religious parties that have dominated the country since Saddam’s fall and show no sign of willingness to relinquish control.
Those parties control armed militia which gained influence in the war against Daesh. They also have strong backing from Iran, creating a potential international dimension to the crisis in a country that is a client and ally of both Tehran and its biggest foe, Washington.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, tweeted on Monday: “#Iran and #Iraq are two nations whose hearts & souls are tied together. ... Enemies seek to sow discord but they’ve failed & their conspiracy won’t be effective.”
The protests began spontaneously in Baghdad and southern cities, without public support from any major political faction in Iraq.
They have since spread to other areas, mainly populated by members of the Shiite majority. The unrest poses an unprecedented challenge for Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who took office last year as a consensus candidate of the Shiite parties.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Abdul Mahdi in a phone call that he trusted the Iraqi forces and supported the Iraqi government in restoring security, a statement from the prime minister’s office said.
Abdul Mahdi said life had returned to normal, according to the statement. The government has offered to spend more money on subsidized housing for the poor, stipends for the unemployed and training programs and loan initiatives for youth.
Iraqi authorities said they would hold to account members of the security forces who “acted wrongly” in the crackdown on protests, state TV reported.
The ministry also said authorities condemned all attacks against media outlets, after reports of raids at the offices of several local and international news outlets. Iraq’s National Union of Journalists condemned the attacks, and the harassment and arrests of journalists covering the protests.
The protests precede Arbaeen, a Shiite pilgrimage when as many as 20 million worshippers trek on foot through southern Iraq in the world’s biggest annual gathering, 10 times the size of the Makkah Hajj. Iran reopened a border crossing used by pilgrims which had been shut last week.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1565331/middle-east

[6ly410]

Protests resume in Iraq's Sadr City as uprising enters second week

Men ride motorbikes past a member of Iraqi federal police in a street in Baghdad, Iraq October 7, 2019. REUTERS/Wissm al-Okili

2 Hours ago

https://www.nrttv.com/En/News.aspx?id=15660&MapID=2

SULAIMANI — Protests resumed overnight in Baghdad’s Sadr City district, with at least one member of the security forces killed, although much of the country appeared quieter than it has been for a week as politicians sought a way to end a nationwide uprising.

Iraq’s military said on Tuesday (October 8 one member of an Interior Ministry force was killed and four wounded when they came under fire from unknown assailants in Sadr City, where 15 people died the previous night in riots, according to Reuters.

More than 110 Iraqis have died and 6,000 have been wounded in the past week as protesters calling for the removal of the government and an end to corruption have clashed with the security forces, mainly in Baghdad and the south.

The violence has been the worst to hit Iraq since it put down an insurgency by the Sunni Muslim Islamic State group nearly two years ago, and the biggest test for Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, in office for a year.

The spread of the violence to Sadr City this week could escalate the security challenge posed by the protests. Unrest has historically been hard to put down in the district, where around a third of Baghdad’s 8 million people live with little electricity or water and few jobs.

Protesters gathered there after nightfall, including the families of slain protesters, local police sources told Reuters.

They set fire to tires outside the municipal council building and courthouse in Mudhaffar Square, police said. Police said the gunfire that targeted the security forces was fired from a crowd of protesters.

Protesters say they have come under attack by members of the security forces using live ammunition throughout the week. Reuters journalists have witnessed protesters being killed and wounded by snipers firing from rooftops into crowds.

(NRT Digital Media/Reuters)

 

 

Edited October 8, 2019 by 6ly410

[6ly410]

Sadrists: There is no leadership for the demonstrators

Political 05:38 - 08/10/2019

https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=67683

 

Baghdad - Mawazine News
The leader of the Sadrist movement, the governor of Zamili, on Tuesday, that the demonstrators lack the presence of leadership, while revealing the reasons for the calm situation and the decline of demonstrations.
"There is no leadership for the demonstrators until a truce is held with them, but several circumstances have come together to calm the situation, including the use of excessive force against the demonstrators, as well as the majority of people visiting the forty," Zamili said.
He said, "The return of the strength of the demonstrations or not, depends on the circumstances of the people and the situation of the government," he expected: "If there is seriousness in the treatment, I think will calm down a lot."
Informed sources, revealed an agreement between the government and coordinator of the demonstrations to postpone the demonstrations until the end of the visit of the Arbain Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), and waiting for the government actions and firmness to meet the demands of the demonstrators.

[Half Crazy Runner]

3 hours ago, yota691 said:

Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, on Tuesday, the return of life to normal.

 

I really don’t think the people want a “return to normal”...

They want things to change. 

[6ly410]

Tuesday، 08 October 2019 06:53 PM

Iraq reopens central Green Zone in Baghdad after situation ‘stabilized’

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/Story/44194/Iraq-reopens-central-Green-Zone-in-Baghdad-after-situation-stabilized

 

Iraq has reopened the central Green Zone in Baghdad, two days after temporarily sealing it off and suspending internet services, the Iraqi News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Citing their correspondent, the news agency reported that the fortified Green Zone opened after the “situation stabilized and life returned to normal.”

They added that the move came after the success of negotiations between the prime minister’s office and demonstrators, where the government is working toward meeting the protesters’ demands.

The fortified Green Zone houses government buildings and foreign embassies in the Iraqi capital.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi announced a series of reforms in response to protesters’ demands, including allowing low-income residents to apply for residential land, will be enforced.

[6ly410]

Wednesday، 09 October 2019 12:45 AM

ِAbdul-Mahdi`s government re-cuts internet service in Baghdad, other governorate

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/Story/44208/Abdul-Mahdi-s-government-re-cuts-internet-service-in-Baghdad-other-governorate

 

The government of Adil Abdul-Mahdi, on Tuesday afternoon, re-cut the Internet service to the capital Baghdad and the provinces of central and southern Iraq after returning it for a few hours.

Residents in Baghdad reported that the government had reinstated the Internet ban on users.

The Iraqi government has banned the Internet over the past five days in Baghdad and the central and southern provinces against the backdrop of bloody protests that killed dozens of demonstrators and wounded thousands.

[6ly410]

Saleh stresses the rapid response to the demands of the demonstrators

Date: 2019/10/8 22:38 • 137 times read

https://alforatnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=214340

(Baghdad: Euphrates News) President of the Republic Barham Saleh, on Tuesday, to respond quickly to the demands of the demonstrators.

"It is necessary to protect public security and protesters and to respond quickly to their legitimate demands," Saleh said.
He also called for restraint and necessary reforms. is over

[6ly410]

Ending the state of warning (c) for the army sectors

08-10-2019 10:26 PM

 

 

http://www.ikhnews.com/index.php?page=article&id=199994
 

Baghdad / News

The Defense Ministry decided on Tuesday to end the state of alert (c) for the army sectors.

The ministry said in a brief statement received by the "news" a copy of it, that "the state of warning (C) was terminated after the security stability in Baghdad and the provinces.

 

 

[Butifldrm]

 

2019/10/08 14:41

• The number of readings 85
• Section: Iraq
•  
•  

Abdel Mahdi and Zidane discuss cooperation between the three authorities to achieve the demands of the demonstrators

BAGHDAD / Obelisk: Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, on Tuesday, with the President of the Supreme Judicial Council Faeq Zidan cooperation between the three authorities to achieve the demands of the demonstrators.

Abdul Mahdi's office said in a statement received to the obelisk, that Abdul-Mahdi received in his office today the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Fayeq Zidan, "noting that the two sides stressed the importance of cooperation between the three authorities and work hard to achieve the aspirations of citizens."

He added that the government efforts to respond to the demands of the demonstrators and the legal procedures related to them were discussed.

Follow the obelisk 

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/179771/عبد-المهدي-و-زيدان-يبحثان-التعاون-بين-السلطات-الثلاث-لتحقيق-مطالب-المتظاهرين

[Butifldrm]

US newspaper reveals ways to "save Iraq" from the current crisis

 

 

Politicsdemonstrations in IraqAdel Abdul MahdiInternet blockingUSIrannatural gas

 2019/10/08 14:19:51

 

The New York Times published an opinion piece on Tuesday on ways to "save Iraq" in the wake of tens of thousands of citizens in unprecedented demonstrations in Baghdad and southern cities to protest against corruption, unemployment and lack of basic services, which was confronted by an unprecedented crackdown Thousands were killed and injured, as well as cutting off the Internet, blocking social networking sites and attacking the headquarters of news stations.

The author of the article, Range Aladdin of the Brookings Institution in Doha and an expert on Iraq, said that Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi failed to prevent the worst crisis in the country since the Islamic State took over Mosul in 2014, and should take responsibility and ensure that those involved in the killing More than 100 protesters were injured and thousands more were injured.

The crisis of the bloody week puts Abdul-Mahdi in an unstable position, according to the writer who believes that the independent Shiite politician who served as finance minister and former vice president, deserves to be given a chance to get Iraq out of this crisis and move it forward.

Aladdin explains that the way forward is not a new government or a new prime minister, and all that this brings serious political uncertainty, but that moving towards the future requires a concerted effort to improve governance and work to revive the Iraqi economy.

The challenges for Abdel Mahdi are terrifying, according to Alaeddine, who stresses that the country, which has been plagued by wars and unrest for years, needs help. He said Western governments were focusing too much on a potential explosion that could lead to a war between the United States and Iran in Iraq, without presenting a strategy to strengthen its sovereignty.

"The harsh reality of the United States is that Baghdad is overly dependent on Tehran and cannot live without Iranian natural gas and other products that meet Iraq's daily needs," he said. Iraq's annual trade with Iran amounts to $ 12 billion, while US exports to Iraq do not exceed $ 1.3 billion.

Yet Washington can help reduce that dependence and strengthen Iraqi sovereignty by enabling Baghdad to build stronger ties with countries that can provide alternatives to Baghdad.

This could take the form of a roadmap for energy independence, including facilitating strategic dialogues on shared energy networks and new oil pipeline connections with Gulf states and Jordan, he said.

The writer also believes that the United States needs to increase its financial and technological investments in Iraq and use its weight to mobilize international investors, which will help push the economy and finance reconstruction projects in it.

US technology giants should embrace the start-up movement in Iraq and a new generation of leaders who have not yet been absorbed into the care networks.

https://www.shafaaq.com/ar/سیاسة/صحيفة-أمريكية-تكشف-طرق-إنقاذ-العراق-من-أزمته-الراهنة/

[6ly410]

Iraq Protests: 165 People Killed in One Week

http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/iraq/552139

 BasNews   09/10/2019 - 01:02  Published in Iraq

 

ERBIL - Iraq's Ministry of Health revealed in a statement on Tuesday that 165 people were killed during the one week of protests.

A source from the ministry told Iraqi media reports that the majority of the victims were protesters, while part of them were security personnel.

The statistics came while the situation has partially been normalized in Iraq, after nearly 6,000 others were also wounded during the demonstrations.

The Iraqi people have been protesting against the poor public services, unemployment, and corruption.

However, the Iraqi Parliament on Tuesday, apart from halting the activity of the provincial as well as municipality councils until the next elections, it also issued over a dozen of decrees in order to meet the majority of the protesters’ demands.

[Butifldrm]

At least 180 people killed during the Iraqi uprising and Abdul Mahdi elude protesters

 Wednesday 09 October 2019

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Baghdad - Writings

At least 180 people have been killed in the Iraqi uprising since the beginning of October 2019, with more than 6,150 wounded.

Information revealed by the Iraqi Ministry of Health to Western media confirmed in detail that the number of martyrs of the demonstrations not less than 180 people, while the number of wounded more than 6 thousand, including critical cases exceeding 200 cases in the period from October 1 to 7 of the same month as a result of dealing with live bullets The use of excessive force in dispersing them in a number of provinces of Iraq, as well as the capital Baghdad.

Ministry of Health sources confirmed that most of those killed were shot dead in the chest or head, which means being targeted by professional snipers.

In the meantime, despite the announcement of the office of Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, the agreement with the coordination of the opposition to postpone the demonstrations until the completion of the fortieth Hussein on October 20, but the security services continued to launch an unprecedented campaign of arrests among protesters and activists and all who see it Leader of the street movement.

https://kitabat.com/news/180-قتيلا-على-الأقل-خلال-انتفاضة-العراقي/

[Butifldrm]

 

Britain rejects Fayyad's talk of a demonstration plot .. Their demands are legitimate

 Tuesday 08 October 2019

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Baghdad - Writings

Days after the strongest Iraqi uprising against corruption erupted, demanding a decent living and a rejection of Iranian hegemony over the Iraqi decision, during which more than 130 protesters were killed and more than 6,150 injured. Britain finally responded to Iraqi accusations of demonstrators plotting.

The British ambassador to Iraq, John Wilkes, rejected what the National Security Adviser, Faleh al-Fayyad, the head of the Popular Mobilization Authority, said about the demonstrators and accused them of carrying out a conspiracy and foreign agendas.

Wilkes said in a tweet on the social networking site `` Twitter '', Tuesday, October 8, 2019, that there is no need for conspiracy theories and that the basic demands of the demonstrators have been waiting for a long time and are legitimate.

Iraq must protect Iraqis through national security forces, he said.

 

https://kitabat.com/news/بريطانيا-ترفض-حديث-الفياض-عن-مؤامرة-ال/

[jg1]

My Iraq coworker said things are calming down now in Iraq.

She agreed with me, that the Iraq protesters will not stop the protests for empty promises only, action!

 

I try not to say anything to her, because she has a lot of family in Iraq and she is so done with the Iraq she does not even want to hear about it

 

Edited October 9, 2019 by jg1

[yota691]

Iraq .. Assigning the prosecution inspection tasks in the ministries

Meeting of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary in Iraq

 09 Oct 2019 11:59 AM

Direct: The President of the Supreme Judicial Council in Iraq, Faeq Zeidan, held a meeting of the President and members of the Public Prosecution working in the headquarters of the Office of the Prosecutor.

The Supreme Judicial Council, in a statement on Wednesday, that it has been directed by the President of the Supreme Judicial Council to assign the prosecution inspection tasks for ministries and entities not associated with the Ministry; in coordination with the Integrity Commission and the Office of Financial Supervision and legal departments .

In its statement, the council added that this decision came after the decision to cancel the offices of general inspectors.

The statement said that the meeting discussed the direct members of the prosecution and the tasks of inspecting ministries and entities not associated with the Ministry, in coordination with the Integrity Commission and the Office of Financial Supervision and legal departments in the ministries and entities not associated with the ministry, and start diagnosing cases of violation of the law and instructions, if any, and present them to the courts of investigation Integrity Commission.

The Council pointed out that the judiciary had a prominent role in rebuilding the new state of Iraq after 2003 based on the principles of democracy and freedom and respect for the Constitution and the law;

He pointed out that the judiciary is a safe haven for anyone with the right and accountability of anyone who violates the law, whatever his job position, and social position in accordance with the evidence presented to the judiciary and required by law to convict any accused in it.

The statement stressed that the judiciary did not and will not be afraid of confronting the corrupt and criminals, but according to the evidence and evidence required by law.

Earlier this month, Baghdad and southern provinces in Iraq witnessed mass demonstrations demanding better services, fighting corruption and providing job opportunities that led to deaths and injuries of demonstrators and security forces, prompting the government to declare a curfew in a number of provinces.

The President of the Supreme Judicial Council , Faeq Zeidan, the day before yesterday, met with members of the Council Chief Prosecutor and the head of the judicial supervision, and the presidents of the Court of Appeal Baghdad Rusafa, and the Court of Appeal of Baghdad Karkh.

[Butifldrm]

 

2019/10/09 10:24

• Number of readings 42
• Section: Iraq
•  

Saleh stresses that an urgent investigation should be opened into the attacks that accompanied the demonstrations

Baghdad / Obelisk: 

President Barham Saleh on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, during his meeting with the central and southern governors, on the protection of public security and demonstrators and rapid response to their legitimate demands.

In a statement to the obelisk, the Presidency said that Saleh "stressed during his meeting at the Peace Palace in Baghdad, with a number of conservatives, the importance of protecting peaceful demonstrators, protecting public security, preventing further bloodshed, and confronting any attack on security forces and public property. Urgent investigation into the attacks that accompanied the demonstrations. "

The President of the Republic, according to the statement, to "the need to speed up the implementation of citizens' requests in their provinces to provide job opportunities for unemployed youth to eliminate unemployment, and meet the legitimate needs in a decent free life, and the creation of housing projects and the advancement of services across the provinces, and resolutely address the financial and administrative corruption And refer the spoilers to justice. "

Saleh listened to "a detailed review by the governors of the southern governorates, the central and central Euphrates, Kirkuk and Nineveh, on the conditions that hinder the completion of projects, and the efforts required to implement the desired reforms."

Follow the obelisk

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/179790/صالح-يشدد-على-وجوب-فتح-تحقيق-عاجل-بشأن-الاعتداءات-التي-رافقت-التظاهرات

[yota691]

The flight of capital is ravaging the Iraqi economy

Widespread corruption and administrative chaos threaten financial stability amid rising indebtedness and stalled reforms

 Independent Arab  

 

Sunday 6 October 2019 13:19

 

 

The outbreak of demonstrations in Iraq hasten the flight of capital from the country (AP)

Iraq is witnessing an exodus of capital abroad amid the suffering of business owners due to the unstable security situation and exposure to constant threats of liquidation, in addition to the great concerns that control Arab and foreign companies from testing the Iraqi market even as security improves, in light of other factors linked to the red tape and high rates of corruption.

The real crisis is highlighted by the weakness in the ability to settle local capital and the flight of talent abroad, which negatively affects the attracting of external flows, especially that "capital is always cowardly" and need several factors to trust the future of the Iraqi economy in the forefront of security.

Iraqi governments have failed to rebalance to stem the crisis of capital flight and provide good investment opportunities, especially in the oil and gas sector, which is monopolized by the government and its partners from international oil companies.

Capital flight poses a major economic challenge for Iraq in light of the financial circumstances it is experiencing.This is reflected in the high volume of indebtedness, the decline in business volume and the weak production, thus exacerbating the unemployment crisis, which blames the wrong political decisions that move the economic and security scene of the oil-rich country.

Iraq is going wrong with business

In this regard, the US ambassador in Baghdad, Matthew Toller, said that Iraq is moving in the wrong direction in business, amid obstacles to attract foreign investment, in that the investment climate remains a challenge for US investors and other international investors, and the ability of companies there to achieve Profit is a crucial factor in determining whether or not it is willing to invest.

In his speech at the Iraq Energy Forum 2019 held in mid-last month, he said that the Iraqi government should be aware that without sufficient financial returns, investors' appetite for financial risks in sectors requiring large capital such as the energy sector will be very limited.

In the view of the US ambassador that Iraq is going in the wrong direction, especially after it fell from 168 in the World Bank's 2018 report on ease of doing business to 171 in the report for 2019, because the World Bank has identified a number of risk factors for Iraq, including the lack of The ability of people to obtain credit and the lack of an effective mechanism to resolve bankruptcies, however, another major disadvantage identified by the bank is the challenges faced by individuals and companies in obtaining electricity.

Iraq lacks an independent regulatory body that monitors performance and reliability of electricity supply and financial deterrents aimed at reducing power outages and achieving transparency in the online system used to deliver electricity tariffs, while gas consumption is more than anywhere else in the world. Wasteful and inefficient and contrary to self-sufficiency of energy in Iraq, and this gas must be invested and processed and delivered as feedstocks to provide power plants fuel, all of which are factors expelling foreign investment.

Adjustments to adjust the exit and entry of funds

In an attempt to control the exit of funds from the country, the Central Bank of Iraq, late September (September), to introduce amendments in the controls on the authorization of funds entering into and out of Iraq.

In a statement, the Central Bank said in a statement that "the first amendment to the controls on the declaration of funds when entered or taken out across the Iraqi border enter into force in February of 2020, and this clarification to avoid citizens and travelers legal accountability for violations provided for in these controls during the transfer Cross-border funds. "

The amendment included granting the authorities the power to inspect persons and inspect their belongings to verify the authenticity of the declared information, upon verification or suspicion of a false declaration, a state of withholding of the permit, or in case of suspicion that the funds being transferred were illegal, and determined that the amounts allowed to be entered or removed from To Iraq, the amounts include less than $ 10,000 or its equivalent in other currencies, according to a central statement.

The statement stated that the amounts in excess of $ 10,000 to $ 20,000 must be obtained with a permit to be presented with the need to show support for the purpose of the entry or exit of these amounts, and in the absence of supporting documents, the traveler will submit a pledge to bring those documents after 30 days from the date of the permit .

In addition, it is forbidden to enter or remove amounts exceeding US $ 20,000, or its equivalent in other currencies. The process of entering or removing such amounts shall be exclusively through financial institutions. The amount is withheld and legal proceedings are taken.

Rampant government corruption threatens public finances 

Iraq continues to suffer as corruption in successive governments has increased since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. Iraq ranks last in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. In 2018, the Public Integrity Commission revealed that more than 2,000 arrest warrants were issued on corruption charges in Iraq in 2017, indicating that among them, 290 government officials were arrested, including ministers.

Transparency International reports that the amount of money looted in the post-Saddam Hussein period amounted to $ 300 billion. Iraq is ranked among the most corrupt countries, ranking 169 out of 180 countries (according to Transparency International in its latest report).

The Iraqi Integrity Commission, announced in a statement that the restoration of more than one billion dollars during the first half of this year, in a step reveal the extent of corruption in the country, while investigations led to the issuance of judicial authorities 857 arrest warrants, 407 of which were implemented during the first half of this year

The statement stated, "34 orders for the recruitment, arrest, arrest and referral of ministers and officials with the rank of minister, and that the public funds that have been recovered - or that have been issued judicial reimbursement - or prevented and stopped waste, and was returned to the public treasury account, totaling more than one trillion dinars During the first half. "

Iraq has been plagued by corruption for years and is ranked 12th among the most corrupt countries in the world, according to Transparency International.

Reconstruction speeds the speed of the "tortoise"

Reconstruction in Iraq is still slow, below the level of ambition, with the Iraqi government estimating the actual need to rebuild the country at $ 88.2 billion over 10 years, while infrastructure (water and electricity projects, health and education institutions, and service institutions) has been hit in the northern governorates. Al-Gharbiya, to the great destruction of three years of fighting between government forces and the organization "IS", which took control of one third of the country in mid-2014.

At the February 2018 Iraq Restoration Conference in Kuwait, Arab and foreign countries and international financial institutions earmarked some $ 30 billion to support Iraq, but support is contingent on improved political and legislative reforms, eliminating corruption in government institutions, and strengthening the security situation.

The report on foreign direct investment issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), revealed that the UAE and Egypt have attracted the largest amount of investment in the Arab world, while Iraq ranked last among the most attractive countries for investment.

Mistrust over the future of the Iraqi economy is growing amid a fear of a large sector of investors about new investments as the possibility of war between the United States and Iran escalates, hurting the economies of the region as a whole.

[Butifldrm]

Committees of the Commission on Human Rights 

The Commission on Human Rights discusses recent events on demonstrations and the implications of the security situation

 09/10/2019

On the instructions of the Speaker of Parliament to form a joint committee with the Committee on Security, Defense and Human Rights Parliamentary Committee members headed by MP Arshad al-Salhi attended the joint meeting to discuss the issue of hosting security leaders on the violations against unarmed protesters.

The meeting dealt with the repercussions of the recent events on the demonstrations that took place last week and the outcome of violations against civilians, security, media and the press. The members of the Committee expressed their concern and condemnation of the spread of so-called snipers that targeted demonstrators and security, calling on the government to disclose the circumstances of this serious phenomenon and the violations that have occurred Citizens, security, media and offices of satellite channels that were attacked, which are all of the Tigris, Euphrates, Rashid and Hadath, Arab NRT considered that the process of muzzling the fourth authority is unacceptable and is unacceptable J with the principle of democracy which is stipulated by the Iraqi constitution

Mr. Arshad al-Salhi was asked to address the offices of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Parliament in all governorates to receive complaints from citizens who have been violated in recent events, in addition to receiving any complaint through the committee's email hrc@parliament.Iq

He noted the need to restructure the complaints committee in the Iraqi parliament

In the same vein, Mr. Al-Sidir directed the committee to address the security authorities represented by the Ministry of Interior, Defense, National Security and Counter-Terrorism by sending their reports on the latest violations of the demonstrators and the security forces.

 

Parliamentary Human Rights Committee

http://ar.parliament.iq/2019/10/09/لجنة-حقوق-الأنسان-تناقش-الاحداث-الأخي/

[Butifldrm]

Baghdad Post Wednesday, 09 October 2019 14:29

 

Dahli: The phenomenon of cutting the Internet has to be addressed

 

 

Member of the House of Representatives Raad Dahlaki, that the phenomenon of cutting the Internet must be addressed.

Dahlaki said in a press statement that "the phenomenon of cutting off the Internet is very serious and Catholic must be addressed and the government made a mistake in this matter and will be held accountable in the future."

The government has banned the Internet in Baghdad and a number of provinces since demonstrations began last weekend.

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/ar/Story/181484/الدهلكي-ظاهرة-قطع-الانترنت-لا-بد-من-التصدي-لها

[Butifldrm]

Wednesday, 09 October 2019 12:45 PM

Hakim affirms the right of citizens to demonstrate and calls for comprehensive reforms in the country

 

Hakim affirms the right of citizens to demonstrate and calls for comprehensive reforms in the country

The head of the National Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, affirmed the right of citizens to peacefully demonstrate.

During his meeting with the Chinese Ambassador Zhang Tao and French Ambassador Bruno Hubert, Hakim discussed "developments in the Iraqi arena, especially the demonstrations taking place in several provinces in the country and bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them in all fields," a statement said.

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/ar/Story/181479/الحكيم-يؤكد-حق-المواطن-بالتظاهر-ويدعو-لإجراء-اصلاحات-شاملة-في-البلاد

Al-Hakim called on the Iraqi government to meet the legitimate demands of peaceful demonstrators, reiterating its condemnation of the use of excessive force and violence, targeting demonstrators and security forces, and holding those accountable for negligence, expressing deep regret over the fall of a number of martyrs among demonstrators and security forces.


He stressed "the constitutional right of the citizen to demonstrate peacefully and demand rights" calling "the political forces and the House of Representatives and the government urgent steps to carry out comprehensive reforms in the country.

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[yota691]

Washington: We regret the tragic loss of life in the protests in Iraq

Political | 09:36 - 09/10/2019

 

 

 

 

BAGHDAD -
Washington regretted the tragic loss of life during demonstrations in Iraqi cities over the past few days, calling on the Iraqi government to exercise maximum restraint.
The US State Department said in a statement that "Pompeo condemned during a call with Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, the recent violence in Iraq, and pointed out that those who violate human rights must be held accountable."
"The minister regretted the tragic loss of life over the past few days and urged the Iraqi government to exercise maximum restraint."
Pompeo reiterated that "peaceful public demonstrations are an essential element in all democracies," stressing that "there is no place for violence in demonstrations, either by security forces or demonstrators."
Parliament held its first session on Tuesday, after a week of anti-government protests, which left 110 people dead and triggered a political crisis, said the President of the Republic of Iraq, Barham Saleh, it needs to "national dialogue."
These demonstrations are unprecedented because they were spontaneous and independent of all parties in Iraqi society, but they were unexpectedly bloody in one week.

[Butifldrm]

Washington tells Abdul Mahdi that demonstrations are a right in all democracies and there is no place for violence

 Wednesday 09 October 2019

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Baghdad - Writings

Eight days after the start of the Iraqi uprising and their revolt against corruption and a demand for a decent life, the United States officially condemned the use of excessive force and unjustified violence against them, which killed about 180 demonstrators and injured about 6150 others.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned what he called "bloody violence in Iraq," calling on the government of Adel Abdul Mahdi to exercise maximum restraint.

The US State Department said that the condemnation came during a Pompeo call with Abdul Mahdi, in which he stressed that those who violate human rights must be held accountable, and deplored the tragic loss of life in the past few days.

Pompeo assured Abdul Mahdi that peaceful demonstrations are a key element in all democracies and that there is no place for violence in demonstrations, either by security forces or demonstrators.

Meanwhile, in order to ensure the absorption and calm of a large number of demonstrators who lost their jobs, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Fouad Hussein announced in a tweet on the social networking site Twitter, today, signed a ministerial order requiring the return of more than 108 thousand members of the dissolved contracts to the Ministry of Defense with Provide financial allocations for them.

https://kitabat.com/news/واشنطن-تبلغ-عبد-المهدي-بأن-التظاهرات-ح/

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Hakim calls on the government to provide services and holds parliament responsible for passing laws

Political | 02:03 - 09/10/2019

 

 

 

 

BAGHDAD -
The head of the wisdom movement, Ammar al-Hakim, on Wednesday, the government to provide rapid services, blaming parliament for the adoption of laws.
"The developments in the political scene in Iraq and the file of recent demonstrations and challenges facing Iraq in the next phase were the most prominent points that we discussed with the UN representative in Iraq, Jenin Blachart," Hakim said in a statement received.
He added: "We reiterated our condemnation of the use of violence in the demonstrations after the fall of dozens of martyrs of demonstrators and security services, while calling on the government to invest the opportunity to provide rapid services and treatments required without reliance on routine and bureaucracy."
Hakim continued: "While we held the House of Representatives responsibility for the adoption of important laws and asked the political blocs to accelerate the reading of new developments and seek to end crises of citizens of corruption and unemployment."