Khuzestan People’s Protests; Concerns Over Repeat of Another Bloody Crackdown in Iran

Ongoing internet cuts and disruptions, along with increased presence of security forces in certain areas of Khuzestan province coinciding with the start of street protests in recent days, have heightened concerns about another deadly crackdown in the Islamic Republic.

Hadi Ghaemi, director of the Human Rights Campaign in Iran, said: “Government forces used live ammunition a year ago in dealing with peaceful protests in Khuzestan, killing a number of citizens, and it appears they are now preparing themselves for repeating another bloody crackdown.”

According to Hadi Ghaemi, “internet cuts by the government are a red flag indicating that Iranian authorities are preparing to use coercive and repressive forces and want to hide this violence from the eyes of the international community.”

The Human Rights Campaign in Iran is calling on officials who are negotiating with the Iranian government as well as the United Nations and international human rights organizations to urgently demand that the Islamic Republic authorities end military action against the Iranian people, which is a clear violation of the people’s right to protest.

Iron Fist Repression and Internet Cutoff; Government’s Response to People’s Protests Over Rising Food Prices

While inflation in Iran has reached above 40 percent, bread prices have surged dramatically in recent days. Many citizens are reporting shortages of essential food items including oil and sugar. Meanwhile, residents of the oil-rich Khuzestan province are also struggling with severe dust storms and water scarcity.

The Human Rights Campaign in Iran has learned from multiple sources in Khuzestan province that internet disruptions in most cities of the province began from noon on May 5 and continue to persist. On the other hand, security and military forces have a significant presence in various areas of the province and Ahvaz (the provincial capital).

A local witness in the city of Izeh, referring to internet cutoffs and network disruptions, told the Human Rights Campaign in Iran: “In recent days, the internet in some areas such as Izeh and Susangerd cities and some areas of Ahvaz remained cut off, and in some Khuzestan cities that were not subject to complete internet shutdowns, mobile access is also disrupted.” According to him, “Security forces initially prevented gatherings from forming, but the number of people increased and the forces fired warning shots several times.” Referring to the protesters’ slogans, this local witness said: “The people’s protest slogans were all about recent price increases, especially the rise in bread prices.”

An Informed Source in Ahvaz Confirmed Increased Presence of Security Forces in the City

A local witness in Ahvaz told the Human Rights Campaign in Iran: “The protests initially started in Susangerd and then reached Izeh and several areas in Ahvaz… Security forces were heavily present around government facilities such as the governor’s office and the Ministry of Jihad for Agriculture in Ahvaz. In some poor neighborhoods of Ahvaz, they used warning shots to disperse the people… The atmosphere of protests in Izeh and Susangerd was very similar to December 2017 and November 2019.”

According to him, “The protests were not ethnic or ethnic-based at all and were specifically in protest against the economic situation and price increases.” Under Iran’s Constitution, holding peaceful demonstrations and marches is a right of citizens. However, the security forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have a long history of violently suppressing protests through direct fire or arbitrary arrests, many of which have been documented. Human rights organizations, following the massacre of people by the government in November 2019, have documented and recorded the deaths of hundreds of protesters in Iran.

Hadi Ghaemi, director of the Human Rights Campaign in Iran, emphasized: “The Iranian people want access to bread and jobs, but the government responds with an iron fist. This is while these are basic rights that should be provided and protected by the Iranian government, not suppressed through violence.”

Source: Human Rights Campaign Iran