Iraq protesters change venue of their demonstrations due to security measures

The Iraqi security authorities are using their powers in areas surrounding al tahrir scene to enforce thousands of protesters in and around Baghdad and southern Iraq to change the location of their protest to al andalus scene instead. The Iraqi security authorities have adopted tough and heavy security measures around al tahrir scene in central Baghdad on the eve of the demonstration the protesters called for today , Saturday against lawmakers' lavish benefits, despite such security measures that kept many away, particularly in the capital . "The authorities are using their powers in a bad way, and against our rights," said Hussam al-Haj, one of the organisers of the demonstrations. "They should protect protests," he said. Demonstrators criticised lawmakers' retirement benefits in particular, which amount to thousands of dollars a month and stand in marked contrast to the daily struggle for many Iraqis who lack even dependable electricity and sewerage services. "A huge amount of money goes to these people," said Aamer Qasim, a pharmacist who attended a demonstration in the centre of Baghdad with several colleagues. "The money should be spent on health, on education, on electricity, on infrastructure." Protests on Saturday were also held in several cities in south Iraq, including the port city of Basra as well as Nasiriyah, Najaf, Karbala, Kut and Hilla. Demonstrations were officially barred, however, in the capital on security grounds, and protesters were surrounded by a heavy security presence where they were allowed to gather, at several squares in central Baghdad. "There are those looking for civilians to worsen the bloodshed and hurt the security and political situation in the country," the interior ministry said in a statement on Tuesday barring the protests. Iraq has seen a marked rise in the level of violence this year. More than 600 people have already been killed so far this month. On Friday, at least 12 people, most of them children, died after two roadside bombs exploded on the edge of the northern Iraq town of Tuz Khurmatu. But protest organisers were determined to hold rallies regardless. Article 38 of Iraq's constitution says the state "shall guarantee in a way that does not violate public order and morality... freedom of assembly and peaceful demonstration".