UN chief 'shocked' by death toll in Iraq protests

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres "is shocked by the death toll we have seen in recent days in Iraq," according to a spokesman.

People "need to be able to demonstrate freely and peacefully, security forces need to show restraint," Stephane Dujarric tells reporters in New York, adding that the high number of casualties is "completely unacceptable."

A UN report published on Tuesday says at least 97 more people have died as "serious human rights violations and abuses continued to occur during the second wave of demonstrations that started in Iraq on 25 October."    (dpa)