Kurdistan Center
for Democracy in the Middle East
Khoyboun Flag
About us
www.kcdme.com
Six years on, Iraq's 'Tishreen' protesters activists are being persecuted as authorities fail to deliver justice
Despite repeated government pledges, accountability for the hundreds killed and thousands wounded during the uprising remains absent.
02.10.2024
By Dana Taib Menmy
Source:https://www.newarab.com/news/six-years-iraqs-tishreen-protesters-still-face-repression
Six years on since "the Tishreen protests" that erupted in October 2019, Iraq remains caught between the ideals of reform once demanded by demonstrators and the state's enduring failure to deliver justice.
Despite repeated government pledges, accountability for the hundreds killed and thousands wounded during the uprising remains absent, while activists and their families continue to face intimidation, arrest, and exile.
The October 2019 protests responded to entrenched corruption, unemployment, poor services, and foreign influence—but, critically, their core demand for accountability remains unanswered six years later. As the shadow of injustice endures, the state's failure to deliver justice stands as the defining legacy of Tishreen.
"October 1 marks the anniversary of the October Revolution, which has become an idea no politician can ignore," said Ghani Al-Ghadban, an Iraqi political observer and activist in the movement. "It changed the mindset of Iraqis. Before, people avoided speaking openly, but now they feel empowered to express their views and criticisms without fear."
He also said while the protests prompted significant political shifts—including the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, legal reforms, and council abolitions—the cost has been severe: at least 850 killed and tens of thousands injured.
"These sacrifices underscore the state's enduring unwillingness to foster real accountability, leaving a movement that survives symbolically but continues to press for substantive justice and reform," he concluded.
Despite six years having passed, justice seems more remote than ever.
For its part, Amnesty International recently emphasised that Iraqi authorities target activists and their families rather than prosecute those responsible for violence, reinforcing the state's reluctance to deliver the accountability at the core of the Tishreen protests.
Repeated governmental investigations remain unpublished and ineffective, as only a handful of protest-related cases reach trial, and convictions are routinely overturned. This deepens impunity and highlights authorities' continued resistance to meaningful reform—leaving young activists facing exile, injury, and marginalisation instead of justice, Amnesty also noted.
Government spokesperson Sabah al-Nueman declined to comment when asked by The New Arab whether any measures had been taken to bring perpetrators to justice.
Accounts gathered by Amnesty International show that militias and security forces continue to raid activists' homes without warrants, harass families, and detain activists under dormant charges—some carrying the death penalty. These actions leave activists exposed to repeated disruptions and legal threats.
In Nasiriyah, a protest hub, activists refer to the crackdown as "revenge for Tishreen."
Authorities have also escalated crackdowns on free expression. Dozens have been detained under the Ministry of Interior’s "indecent content" campaign targeting social media creators, while parliament seeks restrictive laws limiting protest and NGO activity.
Moreover, Adnan al-Zurfi, head of the al-Wafa Movement, reflected on the failure of successive governments to heed the demands of the Tishreen protests.
"Had the system acted patriotically, responded to people's needs, risen above accusing protesters of treason, listened to religious authorities, and allowed us to address the uprising's causes—rather than relying on makeshift governments and avoiding real change—Iraq and the region could have avoided today's cascading collapse," he wrote on X. "Glory to the martyrs of Iraq."
Despite repeated government pledges, accountability for the hundreds killed and thousands wounded during the uprising remains absent.
02.10.2024
By Dana Taib Menmy
Source:https://www.newarab.com/news/six-
Six years on since "the Tishreen protests" that erupted in October 2019, Iraq remains caught between the ideals of reform once demanded by demonstrators and the state's enduring failure to deliver justice.
Despite repeated government pledges, accountability for the hundreds killed and thousands wounded during the uprising remains absent, while activists and their families continue to face intimidation, arrest, and exile.
The October 2019 protests responded to entrenched corruption, unemployment, poor services, and foreign influence—but, critically, their core demand for accountability remains unanswered six years later. As the shadow of injustice endures, the state's failure to deliver justice stands as the defining legacy of Tishreen.
"October 1 marks the anniversary of the October Revolution, which has become an idea no politician can ignore," said Ghani Al-
He also said while the protests prompted significant political shifts—including the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, legal reforms, and council abolitions—the cost has been severe: at least 850 killed and tens of thousands injured.
"These sacrifices underscore the state's enduring unwillingness to foster real accountability, leaving a movement that survives symbolically but continues to press for substantive justice and reform," he concluded.
Despite six years having passed, justice seems more remote than ever.
For its part, Amnesty International recently emphasised that Iraqi authorities target activists and their families rather than prosecute those responsible for violence, reinforcing the state's reluctance to deliver the accountability at the core of the Tishreen protests.
Repeated governmental investigations remain unpublished and ineffective, as only a handful of protest-
Government spokesperson Sabah al-
Accounts gathered by Amnesty International show that militias and security forces continue to raid activists' homes without warrants, harass families, and detain activists under dormant charges—some carrying the death penalty. These actions leave activists exposed to repeated disruptions and legal threats.
In Nasiriyah, a protest hub, activists refer to the crackdown as "revenge for Tishreen."
Authorities have also escalated crackdowns on free expression. Dozens have been detained under the Ministry of Interior’s "indecent content" campaign targeting social media creators, while parliament seeks restrictive laws limiting protest and NGO activity.
Moreover, Adnan al-
"Had the system acted patriotically, responded to people's needs, risen above accusing protesters of treason, listened to religious authorities, and allowed us to address the uprising's causes—rather than relying on makeshift governments and avoiding real change—Iraq and the region could have avoided today's cascading collapse," he wrote on X. "Glory to the martyrs of Iraq."