Families of Iraq's war and terrorism victims protest in Baghdad for stalled compensation law

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Families of war victims and members of Iraq's security forces gathered outside the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad on Saturday, demanding the establishment of a parliamentary commission for martyrs and wounded personnel and the completion of amendments to the country's terrorism victim compensation law. The demonstrators called for the swift formation of the Martyrs and Wounded Parliamentary Commission and the conclusion of the third round of amendments to Law No. 20 of 2016, the Compensation for Victims of Terrorism and Military Mistakes Act. Abu Abdullah al-Saadi, one of the protest's main organizers, said parliament has neglected the rights of this segment of the population, noting that more than 420,000 families have been adversely affected by the delay. Another organizer, Abu Ishaq, said the amendment bill has been stalled for about three years and failed to pass in the previous parliament because of an insufficient number of sessions. An emergency commission established at the start of the current parliament's term ended without results due to political disagreements, leaving the Martyrs and Wounded Commission with only five members since its creation. Among the attendees was the mother of a soldier named Muhammad, who demanded recognition of her son's rights and those of other fallen service members. No further details on the protest or parliament's response were immediately available.