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Iraq struggles with corruption as massive protests rage

Iraq outlines the measures it is trying to take against corruption as criticism mounts against the government from within and without.
Demonstrators are seen at Al Jumhuriya bridge during a protest over corruption, lack of jobs, and poor services, in Baghdad, Iraq October 29, 2019. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RC1E99F7A010
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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."

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