People crowd around a young woman during a New Year’s Eve gathering at the Basra Corniche in southern Iraq, in a video image that circulated on social media and was cited by officials in connection with a reported harassment incident.
17 arrested in Basra on charges of harassment during New Year’s Eve celebrations
BASRA — Basra’s Gov. Asaad al-Eidani said Friday that security forces arrested 17 people in connection with a harassment of a young woman at the Basra Corniche on New Year’s Eve.
Video clips circulated on social media showed the woman surrounded by a group of young men at the riverside promenade during the holiday celebrations.
In a statement, al-Eidani said “security forces moved immediately after the incident occurred and, following monitoring and investigation, were able to identify those involved and arrest them,” adding that “legal measures will be taken against them in accordance with the law.”
He said “the local government will not tolerate any behavior that violates public morals or disrupts community security,” stressing “the importance of maintaining the safety of citizens, especially in public places that see large gatherings during occasions.”
Al-Eidani said security forces have intensified their presence in recreational areas and gathering spots “to ensure the safety of families and visitors and to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.”
Also Friday, Iraq’s High Commission for Human Rights condemned the incident and called for accountability.
In a statement, the commission said “the unfortunate harassment incident that occurred in front of everyone and under the lenses of cameras, in addition to scenes that spread in a number of governorates during Christmas celebrations, represents a blatant violation of personal rights and freedoms and a breach of social values and norms.”
It praised “the efforts of the security forces and the speed of their decisive measures against the harassers,” urging “the application of all legal measures against them with full transparency, while observing human rights principles and justice standards in law enforcement.”
The commission also called on media outlets, bloggers, religious figures and community leaders to “stand united in rejecting these behaviors,” and urged young people to respect the law, public morals, privacy and “the dignity of women.” It also encouraged cooperation with security forces and prompt reporting of suspicious cases.
Al-Eidani said “Basra will remain a safe city,” calling on residents “to cooperate with security forces and report any violations that contribute to strengthening security and stability.”