Failure to hold armed groups accountable for killings will mar Iraq elections, HRW warns
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Since the outbreak of protests in Iraq in October 2019, more than 80 activists have been subjected to assassination or assassination attempts. (Photo: Reuters)
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – International rights watchdog Human Rights Watch warned last week about armed groups targeting journalists and activists in Iraq, noting that failing to hold them accountable could cast a shadow over the upcoming Iraqi elections and spread a climate of fear among protesters who have called for change since October 2019.
HRW said in a report published on Thursday that the failure of Iraqi authorities to take urgent steps to stop extrajudicial killings of protesters and activists would have a chilling effect, and limit the ability of Iraqis to participate in the parliamentary elections scheduled for Oct. 10.