Iraq Government to Build Memorial for ‘October Protesters’

Arab World

August 18th, 7:48am

Baghdad- Fadhel al-Nashmi

A police vehicle burned by demonstrators in Basra on Sunday, August 16, 2020 (AP)

The Iraqi government has decided to build a memorial for victims of the October 2019’s popular protests. At least 550 people were killed and about 26,000 protesters were injured during the six-month protests as a result of the excessive violence practiced by security forces and riot police against demonstrators. They used rubber and live bullets, as well as tear gas bombs that injured and killed many people. Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Hassan Nazim affirmed on Monday that the cabinet has voted on building a memorial for the victims. In his remarks to the country’s official news agency, INA, Nazim said the cabinet has voted on building a memorial to commemorate October’s martyrs, noting that the decision has become effective. “A cabinet’s committee is working on the monument’s design, and I have already seen the initial design.” Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s government seeks the contentment of protest groups by showing sympathy and understanding for their demands and the huge sacrifices they have made to achieve them. Last week, the cabinet discussed compensation and support mechanisms for the families of the martyrs who died during the protests and measures to look after those who were injured. It decided to include victims of protests in the “Martyrs Foundation” law, which grants financial and moral privileges to the families of the victims. Some activists praised the government’s decision to construct the memorial, considering it a recognition of the sacrifices and efforts of October 2019’s youth and implicit condemnation of former Premier Adel Abdul Mahdi, who authorized the killing and targeting of activists. Meanwhile, many activists are still protesting in various demonstration squares in Baghdad and in Iraq’s central and southern governorates. On Friday, a civil activist who participated in Iraq's anti-establishment protests was shot dead in the southern city of Basra. Tahseen Oussama was shot 20 times at his internet service company in the city’s al-Junaina neighborhood, and his assassination has sparked rage among protesters who stormed the streets of Basra. One day after the violent clashes between demonstrators and police and riot forces, they issued a statement demanding the dismissal of Basra Police Chief Rashid Fleih and the prosecution of Oussama’s killers. They also addressed Kadhimi and urged him to support protesters against these criminals and release those who were arrested during Sunday and Monday’s protests.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2454736/iraq-government-build-memorial-%E2%80%98october-protesters%E2%80%99