Secretary-General António Guterres is “following with concern” ongoing protests in Iraq, during which many people were injured, according to his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq.
In a statement issued late Saturday night, the UN chief appealed to all relevant actors “to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation, avoid any further violence, and ensure the protection of peaceful protesters and State institutions”.
For the second time in a week, protesters stormed the parliament in Baghdad, breaching the high-security Green Zone and injuring more than 120 people, news media reported.
Respect fundamental rights
Mr. Guterres noted that “freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental rights that must be respected at all times”.
“The Secretary-General urges all parties and actors to rise above their differences and form, through peaceful and inclusive dialogue, an effective national government that will be able to deliver on longstanding demands for reform, without further delay,” the statement concluded.
Issues at hand
The latest unrest comes after hundreds of people broke into the parliament on Wednesday – following nine months of a political deadlock, which has prevented the creation of a new government, said news reports.
Supporters of Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr – whose block won the majority of seats last October – oppose the nomination of a pro-Iran rival candidate for prime minister. Mr. Sadr has yet to take power.