Hennis-Plasschaert had written on July 6 that the UN was shocked by the assassination of Dr. Hisham al-Hashimi. It was a “despicable act of cowardice.” She called on the government to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Nothing has been done so far. On July 27 she wrote that “we deplore the violence and casualties during Baghdad protests last night.” She said she welcoming the government’s attempt to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable. tHe right to protest must be protected.Nujaba issued its threat the next day and the UN then clarified that “in response to claims circulating that the UN Special Representative for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert made a statement to the UN Security Council regarding the recent demonstrations, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq asserts that the SRSG did not submit any report.”This appears to be an attempt to reduce tensions. It could be seen as appeasing the militias. The UN continues to stand by the right of people to peacefully protest.Statement by the United Nations Assistance Mission for #Iraq (UNAMI) pic.twitter.com/xNAqDT0qHH
— UNAMI (@UNIraq) July 28, 2020
Iranian-backed groups are increasingly attempting to create a stranglehold on civil society in Iraq, using threats and the power of the gun to silence those who speak out. It now appears they are growing more arrogant in their threats. Kataib Hezbollah and other groups attack US forces and supply vehicles for the US on an almost daily bases. Now they may be behind a kidnapping of a foreigner and other attacks. They are trying to pressure the Prime Minister. These kinds of groups are serious.In the past and in other countries they have used kidnappings and assassinations. Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was murdered in 2005 in a bombing blamed on Hezbollah and its allies. Iraqis have begged the UN to support them but many know that foreigners can’t shield them from the militias.Deputy head and spokesperson of Iranian-backed Harakat al-Nujaba’a defend the Iraqi protesters for the first time and slams Iraqi PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi for accusing them to be “mafias”. He also send a message to @JeanineHennis to be fair or she will be not welcomed in #Iraq. https://t.co/oyyGbrwq2q
— Lawk Ghafuri (@LawkGhafuri) July 28, 2020