Iraq human rights body urges Basra government to fix saltwater crisis

BASRA, Iraq — The Basra branch of Iraq's High Commission for Human Rights called on the government on Thursday to take decisive action to repair the Bedde Canal and guarantee the city's water allocation. The commission said delays in repairing the canal had left some districts of Basra without water in the middle of summer. In a statement, the commission demanded an increase in the water share allocated to Basra and asked that those diverting water, including oil companies, be held accountable. It also called for Basra residents to be exempted from water bills because of the contaminated, salty water reaching their homes. Commission officials said the worsening water shortage during the summer months was directly affecting public health and living conditions in the province. The statement did not specify a timeline for repairs or identify which oil companies were allegedly diverting water.