Iraqi human rights report documents over 600 Tishreen protest victims

NEWSROOM – A study by the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights reveals that the Tishreen protests, which began in October 2019 and persisted until May 2021, resulted in more than 600 deaths. This figure surpasses the 560 fatalities previously reported by Hisham Dawood, an advisor to then-Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, on July 30, 2020, which included civilians and military personnel.

The report identifies 624 victims, with nearly half originating from Baghdad. It specifies gunfire as the predominant method of killing, fostering a “state of terror and silence” within Iraqi society and eroding trust in the political framework. The observatory warned, “The failure to hold perpetrators accountable could embolden them to commit even greater crimes.”

The Tishreen, or October, Movement emerged in response to economic distress, rampant corruption, high unemployment, subpar public services, and government inefficiency. It marked the most significant protest movement since Saddam Hussein’s regime fell in 2003 and remained largely independent from established political factions. “The Tishreen protests have planted the seeds for profound transformation within Iraqi society, heightening awareness of rights and solidifying the determination to fulfill legitimate demands,” the report stated.

It places primary responsibility for the violence on the government led by then-Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, while noting the continuation of these crimes under Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s administration, despite his promises of accountability.

The resignation of Abdul-Mahdi in November 2019, prompted by intense protestor pressure for systemic reform, highlighted one of the movement’s immediate impacts. Yet, the core issues that incited the demonstrations—namely corruption and inadequate public services—remain largely unresolved. Ongoing risks to activists and protest leaders, including assassinations and kidnappings, further obstruct efforts toward lasting political reform.

The Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights stresses the significance of documenting these offenses to secure justice for the victims and hold the culprits accountable. “This documentation is not merely a temporary measure but a crucial part of a sustained quest for justice in Iraq,” the organization concluded.

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