BAGHDAD — UN representative in Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert is calling for action against what she called "pervasive corruption" in the government, as the death toll from ongoing, massive protests has exceeded 400 since early October.

"We have heard plenty of words and gestures, but have seen fewer concrete outcomes," she said. "The political class will need to lead by example, for instance by publicly disclosing their assets," she said in a Dec. 3 report to the UN Security Council. "I cannot overstate that anti-corruption efforts in Iraq will be key to unlocking immense social, economic and political potential. Without meaningful progress here, we risk treading water on nearly every other front."

She also met Dec. 8 with Iraqi President Barham Salih to discuss the need to protect peaceful protesters and stem the violence against them. This came one day after she condemned the Dec. 6 attack that killed dozens of protesters and wounded more than 100. She described the violence as an "atrocity."

Protesters say rampant government corruption is to blame for severe unemployment, grossly inadequate public services and unwanted Iranian influence on security and politics.