Akar Jabar, a 16-year-old who took to the streets of Said Sadiq during anti-government protests, was shot during a demonstration on December 8. He was in critical condition for nine days at Sulaimani’s Shar hospital and passed away on Thursday, Diyari Rafiq, mayor of Said Sadiq, told Rudaw English.
The mayor confirmed that Jabar is the second protester killed by security force gunfire in Said Sadiq protests.
Angry over months-long delays in receiving their salaries, civil servants and their supporters staged large protests in the city of Sulaimani, beginning on December 2. The demonstrations quickly spread to other areas of the province. Security forces were deployed in large numbers and used tear gas, live and rubber bullets, and water cannons to end the protests.
Nine protesters were killed, including Jabar. Two security force members also died – one killed in a clash with demonstrators in Penjwin and another died of a stroke while on duty. At least 60 people were injured.
The government-funded but operationally independent Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights said on December 8 it is following “the arbitrary governmental and security measures” at protests with “great concern.”
“The Commission calls on the security authorities in the Sulaimani governorate to respect human rights and not restrict the exercise of freedom of opinion and expression,” it added in a statement.
Amnesty International condemned the Kurdistan Region authorities’ use of “excessive force” and reports that journalists were arrested while covering the protests. “This must end now,” said the rights monitor.
