Days of Rage: Protests and repression in Iraq

Amnesty International, 2011, 17 pages

Tens of thousands of Iraqis, emboldened by the successful uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, have taken to the streets since early February 2011 to protest against the chronic lack of basic services, rising prices, mass unemployment and endemic corruption, and to demand greater civil and political rights. The security forces have frequently responded with excessive force, using live ammunition, sound bombs and other weapons to forcibly disperse peaceful protesters, particularly during the “Day of rage” on 25 February when demonstrations were held across Iraq. At least 20 people have been killed. Many of those arrested say they were tortured or ill-treated. Journalists trying to cover the protests as well as political activists have been targeted for attack or threats.

This report, based on a fact-finding visit to Iraq during the unrest, documents patterns of protest and repression across the country, including the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Amnesty International is urging the authorities to crack down on the use of excessive force and torture by their largely unaccountable security forces, not on the right of people to peacefully protest.