US condemns excessive use of violence against Iraqis, calls for Elections

Last Update: 2019-11-11 00:00:00- Source: Baghdad Post

The United States issued a statement on Sunday to announce that it is seriously concerned regarding the situation in Iraq.

The statement urged the Iraqi government to hold early elections and halt the violence against protesters.

"The US  joins the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq in calling on the Iraqi government to halt the violence against protesters and fulfill President Salih’s promise to pass electoral reform and hold early elections", the statement said.

An Iraqi human rights group claimed earlier that at least six people had been killed during a crackdown on demonstrations in the centre of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Saturday and that law enforcement forces actively use tear gas and live fire to disperse protests.

Unrest erupted in Iraq in early October, with people demanding dismissal of the government, as well as deep economic reforms, better living conditions and improved social welfare programs.

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, over 300 people have been killed in the violence since the start of protests.

Iraq has been hit by nationwide protests that have prompted a heavy-handed response from the government, including over 300 dead and some 15,000 injured at the hands of security forces, widespread curfews and the cutting off of Internet access in Baghdad and other regions.