Iraqi politicians call for action on killings

Politicians angered by the relentless violence plaguing Iraq demanded explanations today from the defence and interior ministers on what was being done to put an end to death squads and kidnappings.

The discovery of maimed bodies, the apparent victims of sectarian violence, dumped on city streets and in rivers has become commonplace in Iraq.

Police have found dozens of bodies in recent weeks, including more than 60 since Friday.

Most are found bound, blindfolded and show signs of torture.

“I demand the defence and interior ministers be summoned to let us know their plans to stop these criminal acts – kidnappings, killings and assassinations against our people,” Hassan Bejar, of the Iraqi Accordance Front, the largest Sunni bloc in government, told parliament.

Shi-ite politician Haider al-Safar said: “We are just sitting here and seeing these dead bodies being thrown every day in the streets.”

“We need to see real achievements from the defence and interior ministries to stop the daily kidnapping and bloodletting,” he said.

Abdul-Karim al-Enizi, another Shi-ite, proposed the formation of special security teams to investigate the killings.

There was no immediate response from the ministries.