A protester prepares to throw back a tear gas canister fired by police during clashes between Iraqi security forces and anti-government demonstrators, in Baghdad, Iraq yesterday. Photo / AP
A protester prepares to throw back a tear gas canister fired by police during clashes between Iraqi security forces and anti-government demonstrators, in Baghdad, Iraq yesterday. Photo / AP
For months, news outlets have been reporting on the wave of protests rocking the world. From Algeria to Ecuador to Hong Kong, many of these movements share some broad similarities - mainly, anger against political and economic elites.
In taking their grievances to the streets, some protesters also put their lives on the line. Hundreds have paid the ultimate price, many at the hands of their country's security or police forces. Here's a breakdown of the death tolls, according to the Associated Press and other sources, in some of the more high-profile protests.
Iraq: At least 320 dead
Riot police fire tear gas during clashes between Iraqi security forces and anti-government demonstrators, in downtown Baghdad yesterday. Photo / AP
Iraq's protests have been the bloodiest, by far. That's because Iraqi security forces have responded to the gatherings with live fire, tear gas and arrests. It is difficult to calculate an exact casualty count, however, as Iraqi authorities are refusing to release official death tolls. According to the Associated Press, more than 320 protesters have been killed in those demonstrations, though the number could be far higher.
In recent weeks, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented cases of Iraqi forces firing tear gas cartridges directly at protesters, killing at least six people.
Protests erupted in Iraq last month, in large part in response to Iraqis' anger at endemic corruption throughout the government and at the failing economy. Protesters say they want a new political system to replace the one set up after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Lebanon: One dead
Mourners and relatives of Alaa Abu Fakher, who was killed by a Lebanese soldier in Tuesday night protests south of Beirut, carry his coffin during his funeral procession on November 14. Photo / AP
Nationwide protests began October 17 after Lebanon's government proposed increasing a tax on WhatsApp, the communications technology widely used within the country. But they've continued because of deeper discontent: high unemployment, widespread corruption and a government led mainly by the same polarizing men since the end of Lebanon's civil war in 1990.
Alaa Abou Fakhr, a 39-year-old father of three, was killed November 12 when a Lebanese army officer shot at protesters who were blocking roads in a coastal town south of the capital, Beirut. The army said they've detained the soldier and opened an investigation. Meanwhile, while protests remain largely peaceful, protesters have clashed with security forces and supporters of the powerful militant group Hezbollah, whose Iran-backed leader opposes the protests, and another Shiite militia, Amal.
Hong Kong: Two dead
Protesters throw Molotov cocktails at the toll booth for the Cross Harbour Tunnel near the the Hong Kong Polytechnic University campus in Hong Kong on Thursday. Photo / AP
Six months ago, the streets of Hong Kong erupted in demonstrations over a draft bill that would allow for the extradition of people to mainland China. Hong Kong's government has since withdrawn the legislation, but now people want more: political reforms, including a new system for elections that lessens China's political control over the peninsula.
Police in riot gear arrive at the scene of a protest in the financial district in Hong Kong yesterday. Photo / AP
Two protesters have died in incidents related to demonstrations. On November 8, 22-year-old Chow Tsz-Lok, a computer science student and protester, died after he fell from a parking garage earlier in the week. Friday, the death toll rose after a 70-year-old man was hit in the head by a brick during clashes. He was reportedly a cleaner and on his lunch break: He opted to clear bricks from a road and was hit in crossfire between pro- and anti-government forces, according to CNN.
Chile: At least 20 people dead
Anti-government demonstrators shine laser pointers a the police during a protest in Santiago, Chile on Thursday. Photo / AP
In October, Chile's government raised the price of metro and bus fares, igniting a wave of anti-government and youth-led protests that have coalesced around anger at income inequality, failing public services and the right-leaning government's policies. Chile had been considered a beacon of stability and economic progress in Latin America, but the policies promulgated by the government, including privatisation of public goods, came at a price that people say they can no longer bear.
Police detain an anti-government protester in Santiago, Chile on Thursday. Students in Chile began protesting nearly a month ago over a subway fare hike. Photo / AP
The circumstances behind many of the deaths in Chile remain under investigation. Chile's prosecutors office has said that some people died in clashes with security forces, while others reportedly died in violence such as fires and vandalism. Prosecutors think that five of at least 20 deaths were at the hands of security forces, according to Al Jazeera. Along with the deaths, there are many other abuse claims to address: "Prosecutors are investigating more than 800 allegations of abuse, including torture, rape and beatings by security forces during demonstrations," Reuters reported in early November. Rights groups have also accused police of aiming pellet guns at peoples' eyes.
Bolivia: 10 dead
Police launch tear gas to disperse the supporters of former President Evo Morales in La Paz, Bolivia. Photo / AP
On Sunday, Bolivia's President Evo Morales resigned after a quick yet forceful uprising against him that's left the South American country dangerously on edge. It began three weeks earlier, when left-leaning Morales, Bolivia's longtime leader, declared victory in an election, despite evidence of "clear manipulation," according to the Organization of American States. Right-wing Bolivians took to the street in protests that have since spiraled into larger clashes between the country's polarized political sides. Morales is now in Mexico and has denounced his departure as a "coup" after the military pulled its support.
Ten people have died, according to the AP, citing Bolivia's prosecutors office. Clashes between protesters and security forces have continued, despite Morales' move to Mexico, as forces for and against the deposed president struggle with each other and security forces.
