Report Oct #1 En 23

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تقرير منظمة كردستان لمراقبة حقوق الانسان حول وضع اللتظاهرات في العراق

Millions of people react to the unfolding events in Palestine

Wars have had and continue to have negative repercussions on citizens. The events of war often result in the abandonment of homes and the loss of physical and psychological security in their homeland, affecting not only citizens of the country but also all countries of the world. The wars that erupted in Palestine have resulted in reactions in many countries, including Iraq. On Friday, October 13, 2023, after Friday prayers, a massive demonstration took place in Tahrir Square in Baghdad, supporting Palestine and denouncing the war. The purpose of this report is to review the events that occurred during the first half of October 2023 in the capital, Baghdad, as monitored by the surveillance team.

Demonstration in the capital, Baghdad, 10-13-2023

On Friday, October 13, 2023, the capital, Baghdad, witnessed a million-strong demonstration of all sects denouncing the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip in Palestine. It is noteworthy that the demonstration originally began coinciding with a statement issued by the leader of the Sadrist movement - Muqtada Al-Sadr - on Thursday, October 12, 2023, in which he called on the Iraqi people to stand side by side with the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip

In support of what the leader of the Sadrist movement called for, Abu Kayan, one of the organizers of the demonstration and a member of the Sadrist movement, said, “The demonstration is tantamount to denouncing and denouncing what is happening in occupied Palestine, and the bloodshed and violation of human rights that is occurring.”

The Iraqi News Agency also quoted a quote by Muqtada al-Sadr, “the leader of the Sadrist movement in Iraq,” stating: “All Islamic peoples are ready to sacrifice for the sake of Palestine,” pointing out that “today’s million-strong demonstration is in support of the usurped Palestinian

(1) Photo

A million-strong demonstration in the center of the capital Baghdad, condemning the recent attacks by Israel on the Gaza Strip

right.” One of the activists of the Sadrist movement - Hussein Ahmed - indicated that this demonstration aims to prove to the world that the Iraqis stand by the Palestinian cause, and are ready to provide full material and moral support to the Gaza Strip. During the demonstration, the burning of the Israeli flag was witnessed while the Palestinian flag was raised. The volume and amplification of religious chants supporting the Palestinian cause also rose.

For its part, the Iraqi government announced its support for the demonstration, and the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office announced its intention to "send humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip."

In this regard, the security forces were present throughout the demonstration without interfering in it, and their work was limited to following up and organizing the demonstration. As for the media, the demonstration had a great impact on media outlets, as many national and foreign media channels were present to cover the events, in addition to publishing events related to the incident through most social media outlets, such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and others, being the largest demonstration in more than 3 years

(2) Photo

Burning the flag of Israel and raising the flag of Palestine by protesters

Iraqis in the center of the capital Baghdad

Reasons for the demonstration/demands of the demonstrators

By reviewing the demonstration that took place in the capital, Baghdad, it becomes clear that the most prominent reasons that led to its launch are THE FOLLOWING:

1- Denunciation of the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

2- Urging decisive and immediate decisions by Arab countries regarding Israel and its recent actions

3- Urging the sending of food supplies to the people of the Gaza Strip and preventing mass starvation as a result of the siege imposed on nearly a million people in the Gaza Strip.

Notes on how security agencies deal with gatherings:

Since the last demonstration was about a common cause between the government and the people in Iraq and the Arab world in general, the security forces dealt with the utmost professionalism to protect the demonstrators and state property, and the demonstration did not witness any significant security violations.

Kurdistan Organization for Human Right Watch

www.KOHRW.org

Email: Reports@kohrw.org

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