Briefing by Jeanine Antoinette Plasschaert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, during the 8739th meeting of the Security Council. The Special Representative for Iraq, Jeanine Antoinette Plasschaert, today (03 Mar) told the Security Council that after five months of protests in Iraq, which have caused numerous casualties “it should be clear that peaceful protesters - backed by a silent majority - will not budge on their aspirations.”
Plasschaert said, “this should be the political class’ first and last concern — but so far, we have seen few results” and added that “delivering on the demands of the people will require a collective effort.”
The Special Representative said, “political leaders and communities will have to step up to the plate” and place “the country’s interest above all else, building domestic strength.”
She said, “the many brave Iraqis - who continue to pay an unimaginable price for their voices to be heard - deserve that we recognize the intolerable abuses they have been subjected to. ”These abhorrent human rights violations,” she added, “are ongoing and fly in the face of all that is decent. They have no place in a democracy, any democracy.”
Plasschaert said, “it is imperative that perpetrators be brought to justice. Impunity ends where accountability begins.”
She emphasized that “justice and accountability are a matter of burning importance to the many Iraqis who have lost their loved ones or seen them injured, for no other reason than expressing their frustration with poor economic, social and political prospects.”
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