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NEW YORK, New York – The United Nations is becoming increasingly concerned at the escalating violence in Iraq, and reports that security forces are opening fire on protesters.

Protests have accelerated in the capital Baghdad over the past five days. Seventy people have now been confirmed killed and 2,500 injured as the protests have turned violent. Security forces are using live ammunition to quell the crowds, and according to an AFP report they are not firing into the air, they are taking aim at demonstrators.

Tear gas has been openly used and water cannons were being brought in late in the week.

The United Nations is calling for restraint, in particular from the Iraqi security forces, and is urging the government to take action to address the concerns of of the Iraqi people.

Since the U.S.-led invasion sixteen years ago, Iraq has become riddled by sectarian violence. Protests over recent days have centered on the lack of security, widespread unemployment, scarcity of electricity and water, and rampaging corruption.

UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres on Friday called for dialogue between the government and the demonstrators, and also expressed sadness over the loss of life.

“We are worried by reports that security forces have used live ammunition and rubber bullets in some areas, and have also fired tear gas cannisters directly at protestors,” OHCHR spokesperson Marta Hurtado told a press conference in Geneva on Friday.

“We call on the Iraqi Government to allow people to freely exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The use of force should be exceptional, and assemblies should ordinarily be managed without resort to force.”

“Most of the protestors are young and unemployed, demanding that their economic and social rights be respected,” she said.

“We remind the Iraqi authorities that people’s grievances need to be heard. The authorities have an obligation to do their utmost to support their citizens to make ends meet, including by addressing their right to employment. State authorities also need to allow people to express their grievances in a peaceful way.”

“We are worried by reports that security forces have used live ammunition and rubber bullets in some areas, and have also fired tear gas cannisters directly at protestors,” said the OHCHR spokesperson.

“We call on the Iraqi Government to allow people to freely exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The use of force should be exceptional, and assemblies should ordinarily be managed without resort to force. Any use of force must comply with applicable international human rights norms and standards, including the principles of necessity and proportionality. In any event, the use of firearms is prohibited, except as a last resort to protect against an imminent threat of death or serious injury. All incidents in which the actions of security forces have resulted in death and injury should be promptly, independently and transparently investigated.”

“We are concerned about reports that at least three journalists covering the protests have been detained, and two of them were subsequently released. These detentions risk deterring other journalists from reporting on the situation. We are also concerned by cuts in Internet service in most governorates across the country. Blanket Internet shutdowns are likely to contravene freedom of expression, unduly restricting the right to receive and impart information and may exacerbate tensions,” the OHCHR statement said.

Iraq is the latest country to be rocked by protests. Since June, thousands of people in Hong Kong have been protesting against plans to allow extradition to China, while Haiti has been engulfed in anti-government protests, which escalated in recent weeks.

On Friday, the government of Ecuador declared a national state of emergency following nationwide street protests led by transportation workers and students, over fuel price rises. Demonstrators clashed with police, who reportedly fired tear gas to disperse the crowds.

The UN chief has been following these “recent waves of street demonstrations”, expressing concern over the violence, injuries and loss of life, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.

Mr. Guterres’s office underlined that the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly should be respected.

“The Secretary-General reiterates his call to security forces to act at all times with maximum restraint and to respond to any acts of violence in conformity with relevant international human rights standards on the use of force by law enforcement officials. He also calls on protestors to demonstrate peacefully and to refrain from violence,” the statement from his office said.

(File photo. Credit: AFP).