A/HRC/43/2 3. General comments made by other stakeholders 771. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of Iraq, 10 other stakeholders made statements.** 772. The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom regretted that Iraq noted recommendations to withdraw reservations made to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, particularly on its Articles 2 and 16 that deal with discriminatory laws and practices and guarantee equality in family matters, particularly with regards to marriage, divorce, custody and inheritance, and the recommendation regarding the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. It deeply regretted that Iraq only partially supported recommendations regarding investigating and ending violence against the LGBTIQ+ community. It stated that the crackdown by the Iraqi police and security forces on peaceful protestors that had taken to the streets since early October 2019 was very alarming. The death toll has reached almost 600 people, and targeted killings as well as abductions of activists and peaceful protestors had continued. 773. Minority Rights Group stated that the adoption of the universal periodic review report came at a time of instability and great challenges for the state of human rights in Iraq, including for minorities, women and human rights defenders. Since the last universal periodic review, millions of people had been subjected to violent attacks and protracted displacement, while political exclusion and socioeconomic marginalization continue to grievance mass civilian populations, including minorities and youth. It welcomed the commitment of Iraq to strengthening the protection of minorities and combating discrimination. It urged Iraq to take concrete measures towards rebuilding infrastructure, reinstating services in retaken areas, and resolving territorial disputes, to allow for the return of displaced minorities to their areas of origin. 774. Federatie van Nederlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie Van Homoseksualiteit – COC Nederland commended Iraq for acknowledging the right to life for all people regardless of their sexual orientation, in their last submission to the Human Rights Committee. It was concerned by recent statements from Iraqi officials that deny the acknowledgment of this right. Members of the LGBT+ community had been the target of organized killings for decades, yet no one had been brought to justice. It stated that the Iraqi Government continued to overlook these crimes. It urged Iraq to publicly condemn the murders of LGBT+ citizens and hold murderers accountable regardless of the identities of their victims. 775. The Center for Inquiry stated that the recent developments in Iraq were alarming, and the universal periodic review showed that many countries were rightly highly concerned about the human rights situation in the country. It stated that, in the recent demonstrations, hundreds of peaceful protesters were killed. Teargas cartridges were fired directly at groups and, on some occasions, even live ammunition was used. It stated that apostates and those who had always been irreligious continue to be taken to court if they make their conviction public. The anti-blasphemy legislation was being used to silence and persecute individuals who question aspects of religion in a peaceful and civilised manner. It called on Iraq to ascertain the right to freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief is upheld. 776. The World Jewish Congress noted the accession by Iraq to UNESCO conventions on the protection of cultural heritage and stated that Iraq was once home to a flourishing Jewish community, tracing its history back to the 6th century BCE. It called on Iraq to preserve Jewish heritage sites in the country, such as places of worship and pilgrimage, and to ** The statements of stakeholders that were unable to deliver them owing to time constraints which were made available are posted on the extranet of the Human Rights Council, at https://extranet.ohchr.org/sites/hrc/HRCSessions/RegularSessions/43session/Pages/default.aspx GE. 121