Shafaq News- Baghdad
The Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq warned on Tuesday againstnarratives suggesting that nationwide anti-corruption campaigns may besuspended, selectively applied, or driven by political motives, noting thatsuch disinformation seeks to erode public confidence in state institutions andundermine accountability efforts.
In a statement, the watchdog described corruption as Iraq’s “mostdangerous enemy,” arguing that it has drained hundreds of billions of dollarsover the years, weakened state institutions, and deprived citizens of essentialservices, including health care, education, housing, and infrastructure.
“Attempts to cast doubt on the integrity of anti-corruption campaigns serveentrenched networks that benefit from corruption,” it added, stressing thatspreading false information with the intent to influence investigations carrieslegal accountability under Iraqi law.
The Center underlined that public tolerance for corrupt officials isdeclining, stating that accountability should apply to all individuals provenguilty in court, regardless of rank or political affiliation. It also expressedsupport for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, alongside judicial and oversightbodies, calling for accelerated progress in major corruption cases, therecovery of stolen public funds, and legal measures against those obstructinginvestigations.
On Sunday, under directives from al-Zaidi, Iraq launched a nationwideanti-corruption campaign dubbed the “Dawn Crackdown.” A security source toldShafaq News that arrests surpassed 67 during the first 24 hours, while otherinformed sources indicated that the initial phase is expected to target morethan 200 current and former officials, politicians, business owners, and othersuspects.
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