Al Mada reported that authorities in Dhi Qar continue to persecute activists over the 2019 protest movement. Dozens have been arrested and others are facing lawsuits over their activities.
Starting in September 2024 over 200 people were arrested for their participation in the 2019 demonstrations. 43 were arrested for taking part in the 2019 bridge massacre where the security forces fired into the crowd and killed around 50. 1200 people were also facing lawsuits filed by officials. Many went into hiding as a result. Activists said this was a campaign by the provincial government to stop any organizing for the 5 year anniversary of the protest movement.
By October 2024 the campaign against activists led to a spate of protests demanding that the authorities stop their arrests and lawsuits and release those who were detained.
2019 was the start of mass demonstrations in Iraq demanding political reforms. Activists were met by a government effort to arrest, kill and intimidate them assisted by Iran. Amnesty International and others recorded hundreds of people killed and wounded by the security forces along with beatings, assassinations and kidnappings. Few if any were ever held responsible because their actions were orchestrated by the state.
In fact, in August 2024 the commander of the Rapid Response Unit who was given life in prison for the 2019 bridge massacred was released. The courts said there was insufficient evidence against him.
Overall the events in Dhi Qar point to the government prioritizing preserving the status quo over the demands of the country’s youth even at the cost of killing them in the streets.
SOURCES
Al Aalem, “Dhi Qar: Arrests reopen Tishreen’s wounds, thousands reject “selectivity” and “provocation”, 10/19/24
Abdul-Zahra, Qassim, “Clashes break out at protests over arrested activists in southern Iraq,” Associated Press, 10/18/24
Agence France Presse, “Iraq court quashes police officer’s conviction over killing protesters,” 8/14/24
Amnesty International, “Iraq: “We hold them responsible for the blood of our youth” : Five years on, impunity prevails for violations against Tishreen protesters,” 9/30/24
Asharq Al-Awsat, “Widespread Protests in Southern Iraq over Arrest of Activists,” 10/20/24
Bas News, “Dhi Qar Sees Crackdown on Activists Amid Renewed Protests,” 10/24/24
Al Hurra, “Iraq .. Activists from Nasiriyah between the temptation of gains and the intimidation of arrest and malicious charges,” 12/3/24
Al Mada, “Dhi Qar demonstrators give the government 48 hours to implement their demands,” 10/21/24
- “Dhi Qar: Security prosecutions and malicious lawsuits force activists to flee to safe havens,” 1/21/25
NINA, “For the third day .. Demonstrations renewed in Al-Haboubi Square in the center of Nasiriyah City,” 10/20/24
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