Friday, April 27, 2007
Ministry of Interior says sectarian killings down due to Adhamiya Wall
Security
(Azzaman) - The Ministry of Interior says the construction of the Adhamiya Wall has led to a substantial drop in sectarian killings, a claim which human rights groups and local press dispute. It said the killings dropped to 4-8 per day from 100-120, according to a ministry spokesman. The spokesman’s claim could not be independently confirmed at the time by human rights organizations, including the United Nations say the ministry hides civilian casualty figures.
It is the first time the ministry confirms that more than 100 people were victims of violence every day in Baghdad. The earlier figure was around 30. Simple calculations would put the figure of civilian Iraqis killed through sectarian violence only in Baghdad at more than 3,000 a month. Local press has disputed the spokesman statement that the wall, which has sparked wide criticism in the country, has led to a slash in killings. Journalists who attended the spokesman’s press conference in which he made the remarks wondered whether the ministry was not doctoring the figures again in order to justify the construction of the wall.
It is the first time the ministry confirms that more than 100 people were victims of violence every day in Baghdad. The earlier figure was around 30. Simple calculations would put the figure of civilian Iraqis killed through sectarian violence only in Baghdad at more than 3,000 a month. Local press has disputed the spokesman statement that the wall, which has sparked wide criticism in the country, has led to a slash in killings. Journalists who attended the spokesman’s press conference in which he made the remarks wondered whether the ministry was not doctoring the figures again in order to justify the construction of the wall.
Labels: Adhamiyah, Azamiyah wall, Ministry of Interior, sectarian violence
