Iraq said on Tuesday that it is to hold an "impartial and independent" investigation into the killing and kidnapping of hundreds of protesters.
The announcement came in response to a report published on Saturday by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq that claimed hundreds of Iraqis were killed and dozens had disappeared, with many abducted, assaulted and tortured during months-long civil unrest that began in October last year.
“The Iraqi government confirms its commitment to human rights and international conventions. The government renews its support for an impartial and independent investigation to all the events mentioned in the report,” a statement by Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi’s office said.
Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad and in southern Iraq to protest against corruption, unemployment, poor living standards and foreign interference. The mostly young protesters accused the political establishment of rampant corruption and demanded an end to a political system that is divided along sectarian and ethnic lines.
In response, the former prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi resigned last November. Mr Al Kadhimi was confirmed as his successor this month after two other candidates were rejected by parliament because of differences among Iraq's political factions.
The UN said it had verified the deaths of 490 protesters and injuries to 7,783 others at demonstration sites.
The international body said it received 154 allegations of missing protesters and human rights activists "who were presumed to have been abducted or detained". It said it had verified 99 cases involving 123 missing persons. Of those, the government knew the whereabouts of 98, but said 25 remained missing or were of unknown status.
At least 28 protesters were "abducted in circumstances indicating that the perpetrators may be armed actors commonly referred to as ‘militia’," the report said.
Around 33 individuals were arrested and detained by Iraqi Security Forces and did not or could not contact their families during their detention and 37 individuals declined to share details about their cases, the report said.
Those interviewed said they were forced into vehicles by armed or masked men near the protest sites, or on their regular daily routes, with none reporting appearing before a judge.
The Iraqi Human Rights Commission said the UN's findings match their own documentation.
"Until March 17, according to our documentation and complaints we received from families of victims, the numbers match, around 153 were abducted or went missing and 98 of them are in the security unit's detention centres," Ali Al Bayati, a member of the commission told The National.
The 98 individuals in detention centres have been accused of committing crimes so most of them have been charged according to the Iraqi penal code,” Mr Al Bayati said.
“There are around 53 people missing, we don’t have any information about them and they are not in official detention centres,” he said.
Mr Al Bayati said that 25 individuals that were abducted by non-official armed groups have now been released.
The human rights official said there is a high risk that those abducted by the armed groups will have been subjected to torture and violence.
“What is important is for the judiciary to start a clear investigation about this and for the government to respect international conventions that Iraq have signed,” he said.
“There should be accountability for the criminals and there should be a compensation operation for the victims,” Mr Al Bayati said
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
JERSEY INFO
Red Jersey
General Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification by time.
Green Jersey
Points Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the fastest sprinter, who has obtained the best positions in each stage and intermediate sprints.
White Jersey
Young Rider Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the best young rider born after January 1, 1995 in the overall classification by time (U25).
Black Jersey
Intermediate Sprint Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the rider who has gained the most Intermediate Sprint Points.
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Ferrari
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Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
PROFILE
Name: Enhance Fitness
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 200
Amount raised: $3m
Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors
WITHIN%20SAND
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Racecard
5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m
India team for Sri Lanka series
Test squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharath (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Sourabh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.
T20 squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Deepak Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
match info
Union Berlin 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Lewandowski 40' pen, Pavard 80')
Man of the Match: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)
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