Iraqi Pres. calls for curbing violations against protesters

BAGHDAD, Nov 20 (KUNA) -- Iraqi President Barham Saleh on Wednesday demanded the curbing of what he has described as violations against the demonstrators and document these breaches.
Saleh made the statement while receiving Iraq's Supreme Human Rights Commission members, a presidential statement said.
Saleh called for backing efforts exerted to curb these violations against the protesters, it pointed out.
He stressed the necessity of action in line with humanitarian and professional duty as well as the international standards, pointing to the importance of following up the file of the killed, wounded and detained, it noted.
Saleh's statements come at a time when the demonstrators continue their protests in Baghdad and a number of governorates for the 27th day in a row, calling for toppling the government and amending the country's Constitution.
Thousands of protesters representing varied segments in the society headed to Tahrir Square in Baghdad to stage their protests Wednesday night despite the cold weather, eyewitnesses and activates told KUNA.
Clashes between the protesters and the security forces decreased, but some demonstrators suffered from suffocation as the security forces fired tear gas canisters to disperse them.
The forces also blocked some bridges to prevent the demonstrators from reaching Baghdad.
In Basra, the protesters continued blocking roads leading to ports, oil wells and government bodies to prevent people and employees from resuming their jobs.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi parliament approved on Tuesday some laws on cancelling financial privileges of some senior officials and amending retirement age.
However, these laws were rejected by the protesters, who expressed lack of confidence in the parliament, which is facing a major challenge represented in approving the election law.
This law, which is a main demand of the protesters, will be endorsed later by the legislature in the second reading.
The demonstrators are calling for combating corruption, improving services and creating jobs. (end) ahh.hm