Baghdad – The arrest of several individuals involved in corruption cases has dominated public opinion in Iraq in recent days, after authorities announced a series of operations targeting networks involved in embezzling public funds. Many consider this a step towards more serious action.

 

On Wednesday evening, July 1st, civil society groups and activists held a protest in Baghdad, demanding decisive and comprehensive measures to hold corrupt officials accountable. This comes amidst the ongoing mobilization in Iraq following the launch of Operation Dawn Charge by Iraqi authorities this week, and the accompanying renewed public demands for the rule of law and the fight against corruption, without selectivity or exceptions for any implicated party.

 

Women's organizations and a number of activists, along with national forces and democratic figures, participated in a protest held at the Kahramana and the Forty Thieves monument in Baghdad. The protest was against corruption and the quota system, and called for a serious and comprehensive fight against corruption in Iraq that does not exclude any party, is not limited to minor offenders, and does not become a selective campaign.

 

The protesters raised banners calling for the opening of major corruption cases, holding those involved in squandering public funds accountable, and exposing the political protection networks that have obstructed the course of justice and provided cover for corrupt individuals.

 

Combating corruption is a national responsibility.

 

Activist and writer Naeema Majeed explained that this demonstration was organized to demand the fight against the rampant corruption plaguing the country, which has "devoured everything." She emphasized that the government must proceed with combating corruption without discrimination between the big fish and the small fry, and that the law must be applied to everyone without exception.

 

She added that eradicating corruption is the essential step to ensuring that the Iraqi people live in security, peace, and stability. She stated that the continuation of this scourge threatens the present and future of society, calling on all citizens to unite and stand together to eliminate the corrupt and dismantle the system of corruption that has burdened the country.

 

 

No Compromise with the Corrupt

 

For her part, engineer and poet Hassina Abbas Bunyan affirmed that the participants in the sit-in reject any attempts to compromise with those involved in corruption cases. She pointed out that the Iraqi Communist Party, since 2003, has been calling for the purging of state institutions of thieves and those who fail to uphold their duties.

 

She added that the security and political collapse that Iraq has witnessed in recent years was a direct result of rampant corruption and mismanagement of public funds. She explained that successive governments have failed to curb this phenomenon; in fact, the situation has worsened with each new administration.

 

She stressed the necessity for the judiciary to exercise its role independently and firmly in holding corrupt individuals accountable, free from any interference, emphasizing that the demonstration was held in defense of Iraq, its sovereignty, and the dignity of its people.

 

Public Trials

Salma Nasser Kamal al-Din stated that the protest was a rejection of the continued corruption, after Iraqis witnessed large sums of money hidden in the homes of those accused of theft. She emphasized that this money belongs to the Iraqi people, at a time when young people are suffering from unemployment and a lack of job opportunities, while some officials continue to plunder public funds through illicit means.

 

She added, questioning: How long will this situation continue? Iraq has been exhausted over the past years, while citizens, especially retirees, live in a constant state of anxiety due to the fear of delays in receiving their pensions each month.

She demanded a reduction in the privileges and exorbitant salaries of officials, emphasizing her rejection of any settlements with those involved in stealing public funds. She stressed that this issue is a matter of right for the Iraqi people and that the accused must be brought to justice in public trials, held accountable, and punished with imprisonment, not merely have the stolen funds recovered or settlements reached with them.

 

She added that corrupt individuals must be permanently barred from political activity because they have lost the public's trust after destroying the country and plundering its resources. She emphasized that Iraqis continue to suffer from inadequate basic services and power outages, while corrupt officials have seized control of state institutions and ministries, denying qualified civilians a genuine opportunity to serve the nation. She asked: How long will corruption continue to be so rampant?

 

Corruption Extends to the Prison System

 

Aida Mahdi Hussein al-Moussawi, a member of the Free Iraq Tent, run by activist and prisoner supporter Israa al-Qaisi, stated that her participation was a protest against the rampant corruption in Iraq. She emphasized that the country's wealth, particularly its oil, has been plundered, negatively impacting the lives of citizens.

 

She called on the relevant authorities to provide basic services, especially water and electricity, and urged an investigation into corruption within the prison system. She asserted that many prisoners are subjected to financial extortion, being asked to pay bribes to remain in detention centers and avoid being transferred to prisons.

 

She added that prison conditions remain dire, with prisoners' food being of extremely poor quality and prison canteens selling food at exorbitant prices, adding further burdens to prisoners and their families. She emphasized that prisoners suffer from hunger and illness, and that their families face difficulties in delivering food to them because it is often prevented from being brought in.

 

She called on the relevant authorities to prosecute the high-ranking officials involved in corruption cases. She also demanded the release of her two imprisoned sons and that justice be served for them, along with justice for all mothers, prisoners, and the Iraqi people.

 

Expanding the Campaign to Pursue Corrupt Officials

 

For her part, activist and human rights defender Intisar al-Mayali affirmed that this demonstration comes in support of the campaign led by the Integrity Commission in cooperation with the security forces to pursue all those involved in stealing public funds, whether they are officials or official bodies accused of misappropriating the people's money.

 

She expressed her hope that the campaign will not be limited to the names announced so far, stressing that there are many other figures involved in plundering and wasting public funds.

The country's wealth has been squandered, the people impoverished, and Iraq burdened with debt as a result of the quota system and corruption, which have led to widespread poverty, hunger, and disease.

 

She added that Iraqi citizens now lack the most basic necessities for a dignified life, including job opportunities, healthcare, quality education, and adequate housing. She emphasized that the primary reason for this is the policies pursued by corrupt officials, which have squandered public funds instead of utilizing them to serve the nation and its citizens.

 

Holding Public Funds Stealers Accountable

Activist Ikhlas Kamel Behnam stated that the demonstration represents a message of support for the recent measures aimed at holding public funds embezzlers and corrupt officials accountable for the significant damage they have inflicted on state institutions, assets, and resources. She stressed that the country's wealth has been wasted while citizens suffer from poverty and deprivation.

 

She added that some corrupt individuals have amassed enormous wealth from public funds, while the Iraqi citizen is suffering under the weight of difficult economic and living conditions. She called on the Prime Minister and the judiciary to proceed with holding all those involved accountable, imposing legal penalties on them, and recovering the looted funds in a way that contributes to serving the citizen and rebuilding the state on the foundations of justice and the rule of law.