Report July #2 En 23

Reports

تقرير منظمة كردستان لمراقبة حقوق الانسان حول وضع اللتظاهرات في العراق

The Iraqi citizen is at the mercy of the dollar flames and the heat of summer

In addition to theconditions, the difficult environment experienced by the Iraqis has led to theinstability of the exchange rate. The Iraqis have become preoccupied with itsdisastrous effects on their living conditions and purchasing power, which has increasedtheir suffering. These capabilities are declining daily due to commodity pricerises. And basic materials and services, which with their continuation can beexpected to have negative consequences for the political and social stabilityof the country. In addition, they can raise Iraq's already high poverty,unemployment, and high price rates. In this report, the demonstration monitoredby the monitoring team during the second half of July / 2023 in BaghdadGovernorate will be reviewed.

Baghdad governoratedemonstrations 07/27/2020 3

On Thursday, corresponding to 27-07-2023, hundreds of citizens took to the streets in massive demonstrations due to the rise in the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Iraqi dinar, in front of the Central Bank building in Baghdad, demanding a reduction in the exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar, at a time when the commercial markets are witnessing a clear recession in their economic movement

The demonstrators expressed their anger at the inability of The Central Bank of Iraq to manage to contain the crisis of the rise in dollar prices, despite the promises made by the bank, in addition to the recent measures it took, which did not reflect positively on prices, as the difference between the official price (1320 dinars to one dollar) and the price currently in circulation is (1540). Dinars to dollars)

According to one ofthe demonstrators - that the devaluation of the Iraqi dinar against the US dollaris a serious crisis that grinds citizens, especially from the middle and poorclasses. As the high prices and lack of control make it, the crisis of the risein the dinar exchange rate is a factor for a significant increase in prices.And if the situation continues as it is, the Iraqi currency may reach collapse,which increases the difficulty of living and economic conditions.

Currently, the dollar exchange rate is in a state of instability! It directly affects citizens' economic well-being.

Photo (1)

As a result of the high exchange rate between the dollar and the Iraqi dinar, demonstrators gathered in front of the Central Bank

The rise in the exchange rate directly affected market movement, as commercial transactions almost stopped due to continuous exchange rate variation. This is what he referred to - one of the demonstrators - by saying that they depend in their lives on daily earnings and that the fluctuation in the exchange rate of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar has made the market almost halted, as merchants and shopkeepers are afraid to buy or even sell goods due to the instability of the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Iraqi dinar. Among the slogans raised were "No to starving the people," "Stop smuggling the dollar," and "Where are your promises, Sudani," about the new prime minister, Muhammad Shiya' al-Sudani. And other slogans called for reform

Photo (2)

Another aspect of the demonstration is the demand to reduce the dollar exchange rate, either by the dinar

Governmentally, thegovernment has not issued any official statement in this regard, except for thenumber of statements announced on behalf of the Central Bank of Iraq on socialand media outlets, in which it was indicated that the Central Bank of Iraq willwork to stabilize the US dollar exchange rate against the Iraqi dinar. As forsecurity, the security forces were distributed extensively around the bank,where their work was limited to organizing the demonstration and preventing thedemonstrators from storming the Central Bank, knowing that the bank continuedits work normally despite the demonstrations and trading and financialtransactions were continuous in it. As for the media, more than a dozensatellite and local channels covered the event.

The reasons for thedemonstration / the demands of the demonstrators

By reviewing thedemonstration, it is clear that the high exchange rate of the US dollar againstthe Iraqi dinar was the main reason for the demonstration's launch.

Notes on security authorities'handling of gatherings:

Demonstrators shouldbe handled professionally by the security authorities. This interaction can beconsidered an excellent indicator of the security forces' performance indealing with demonstrators. An important strength of the security forces is theability to deal peacefully with demonstrators, maintain their peace, avoidcontact with them, and organize them properly. In addition, the individual'sright to freedom of expression is guaranteed, which is one of the hallmarks ofthe country's democracy.

Kurdistan Organization for Human Right Watch

www.KOHRW.org

Email: Reports@kohrw.org

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