Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi said his Cabinet had taken the first steps towards prosecuting and punishing those involved in killing and attacking protesters and activists.
Anti-government protests against unemployment and poor public services began last October.
They turned violent as a heavy-handed approach by security forces led to the deaths of more than 500 people, with thousands injured.
“The first duty of any government is to defend the rights and dignity of its citizens,” Mr Al Kadhimi said on Saturday during a meeting with members of the Independent Human Rights Commission.
The protesters appeared to be independent of any political party and seemed to have taken the security forces by surprise.
Various human rights organisations called on the government to rein in the security forces and investigate the killings.
“The government has made an accurate account of those who were killed and injured, and it is now proceeding with legal matters,” Mr Al Kadhimi said.
He showed real support for the rights commission in bringing the perpetrators to justice, Ali Al Bayati, a member of the body, told The National.
“We had different meetings with many other ministers and from the first impression, some of them were not aware about the mandate of the commission,” Mr Al Bayati said.
The commission was established to monitor the government’s actions in bringing justice to the public for human rights breaches, he said.
“If they don’t understand the mandate then I cannot do my job," Mr Al Bayati said.
The meeting with Mr Al Kadhimi focused on the breaches committed during the protests.
“We focused on co-operation to investigate all violations and to take real steps to stop it from occurring again," Mr Al Bayati said.
"The prime minister welcomed that and mentioned that the government is ready to provide help and support."
Transparency and real accountability are needed to achieve solid results, he said.
This month, activist Reham Yacoub was shot dead in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. It was the third attack and second killing in a week.
Yacoub was a doctor who led anti-government protests in the city.
Her death and that of fellow activist, Tahseen Oussama, days earlier, started a new wave of anti-government protests that demanded authorities to find those responsible.
After the killings, Mr Al Kadhimi sacked the heads of Basra police and national security, and opened an investigation into the violence.
Basra, which produces a massive share of Iraq's oil, has been rocked by large-scale anti-government protests since October.
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Major honours
ARSENAL
BARCELONA
- La Liga - 2013
- Copa del Rey - 2012
- Fifa Club World Cup - 2011
CHELSEA
- Premier League - 2015, 2017
- FA Cup - 2018
- League Cup - 2015
SPAIN
- World Cup - 2010
- European Championship - 2008, 2012
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
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