Iraqi Consulate Records Demonstrators in Manchester

On 9 March 2026, members of Dakok organised a peaceful demonstration in Manchester under the banner “End the Popular Mobilisation Forces in Iraq.” The protest called on Iraqi authorities to dismantle militia groups and uphold democratic freedoms.

During the demonstration, staff inside the Iraqi Consulate were observed monitoring the protest. According to Dakok members, a consulate employee opened a curtain discreetly and began recording demonstrators using what appeared to be an iPhone.

“The consulate member opened the curtain secretly and recorded Dakok members. His recording camera was an iPhone,” said Diyar Harki, Chair of Dakok.

Dakok states that this is not the first time Iraqi authorities have recorded Kurdish diaspora activities in the United Kingdom. The organisation believes such actions amount to intimidation aimed at discouraging activists from exercising their right to peaceful protest and free expression.

Dakok further raises concerns that footage collected during these incidents may be transmitted to authorities in Baghdad, potentially placing individuals who participate in diaspora activism under scrutiny.

“They started recording us when our members chanted against Iraqi militias and said ‘No, no to Sistani — no, no to militias,’” said Razhan Ahmed, a member of the organising team and presenter of the event.

Below is footage recorded by Diyar Harki and Hiwa Jamil, members of Dakok, documenting the moment consulate staff were seen filming demonstrators during the protest at approximately 1:00 PM.

Dakok calls attention to this incident as evidence of continued monitoring of diaspora activism by Iraqi authorities, raising serious concerns about intimidation and the protection of democratic freedoms for activists in the United Kingdom.