11.7.19
Washington—Representatives Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Michael McCaul, Ranking Member of the Committee, today issued the following joint statement on protests in Iraq:
“It is critical that the Iraqi government protect the right of the Iraqi people to peacefully protest and assemble. In recent days, we’ve seen an increase in violence perpetrated by Iraqi security forces and paramilitary groups. This is unacceptable. Anyone using force and violent intimidation against protesters and journalists must be stopped and held accountable. We also urge the government of Iraq to reverse the recent internet shutoff and restrictions on social media platforms.
“We call on the Iraqi government to work to ensure that all political parties, ethnic groups, and sects are able to live peacefully alongside one another in a strong, sovereign and prosperous Iraq.”
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