Iraqi PM Kadhimi meets wounded protesters

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi met with wounded protesters on Thursday who were sent abroad for treatment at the expense of the government, the premier’s media office said in a statement.

“The rights of the wounded demonstrators and their sacrifices will not be in vain,” Kadhimi told the injured protesters, according to his office, adding that the persons who injured the protesters will be pursued by the law and will get the “fair retribution” they deserve.

“The government is committed to treating the wounded, from the demonstrators, security forces, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi) and the clans, as they are the sons of Iraq and sacrificed for their country and their people,” added the statement.

Protests erupted across central and southern Iraq in October 2019, with overwhelmingly young crowds demanded jobs, services, and action against corruption. When demonstrators began to be killed by security forces and pro-Iran militias, activists demanded an end to foreign interference in Iraqi affairs and called for the overthrow of the political elite.

Activists and protesters are often threatened, kidnapped, and killed for their involvement in the protest movement. Almost 600 protesters were killed. 

Mohammed Sharif, 35, a protester from Dhi Qar and representative for the injured told Rudaw English on Thursday that the government has provided adequate assistance and they are providing them with free medical treatment, in and out of Iraq.

He said about 3,000 demonstrators were injured in Dhi Qar province alone. Sharif himself was shot in the leg and injured in November 2019. He underwent surgery two days later at the government’s expense. He paid for a second surgery himself, explaining he could afford it. 

Six injured protesters are now in India receiving treatment, according to Sharif.

Kadhimi has ordered an investigation into the deaths of protesters. In September, he ordered a travel ban on the former chief of the Dhi Qar crisis cell, Jamil al-Shammari, who was accused of killing dozens of innocent protesters.

“The government, despite all the difficult circumstances, is doing its best to address the mistakes of the past by closing the door on repeating them,” said Kadhimi on Thursday.

Sharif claimed Shammari was acting on orders from former prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, and other influential politicians.