Envoys in Iraq condemn excessive violence, urge credible probe into deaths

Envoys of 16 countries in Iraq, including, France, Britain and the United States, on Monday, condemned the use of excessive violence by Iraqi security forces and armed groups and called for a credible investigation into hundreds of deaths since October.

"Despite assurances by the government, security forces and armed groups continue to use live fire in these locations, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries of civilians, while some protestors face intimidation and abduction," the joint statement said, referring to the cities of Baghdad, Nasriya, and Basra.

The ambassadors called on Iraq to respect freedoms of assembly and right to protest peacefully and urged the Baghdad government to "guarantee credible investigations and accountability for the over 500 deaths and thousands of injuries of protesters since Oct. 1". 

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