Amnesty International: At Least 143 People Killed in Iran Protests
Amnesty International announced in its latest report that at least 143 people have been killed in recent protests in Iran. The human rights organization has strongly condemned the use of force against protest participants.
Amnesty International stated in its latest report on Monday, December 4 (November 25) that at least 143 protesters have been killed in last week’s protests in Iran, which took place in various cities.
France Presse reported, citing Amnesty International: “Based on reports from reliable sources, the death toll from these nationwide protests is at least 143 people.”
The human rights organization, headquartered in London, says it has “convincing evidence” showing that Iran’s Islamic Republic security forces used firearms against unarmed protesters.
Philip Luther, Director of Research for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, said on Monday: “The rising death toll in these protests is a warning message about the brutality of Iranian authorities in confronting protesters. These numbers show how tragic the assault by Iranian authorities on human life is.”
Iranian authorities have not yet released precise figures on the death toll from the nationwide protests, and have additionally prevented media coverage by cutting internet access for several days.
According to Amnesty International’s latest report, the information received so far indicates that the death toll was: 9 in Alborz Province, 1 in East Azerbaijan, 4 in West Azerbaijan, 7 in Isfahan Province, 12 in Kurdistan, 15 in Fars, 1 in Kerman Province, 34 in Kermanshah Province, 40 in Khuzestan Province, and 20 in Tehran Province.
Nationwide protests in Iran began on Friday, November 15, in protest against the tripling of gasoline prices and economic hardship.
Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, two days after the price of gasoline was tripled and rationing was implemented—which sparked widespread protests across Iran—defended the measure and attributed the protests to “ruffians” and “counter-revolutionaries and enemies of Iran” who, according to him, acted with the “encouragement” of the Pahlavi family and the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization. Khamenei’s remarks were interpreted as an order to suppress the protests.
Earlier, Amnesty International announced on Friday, December 1 (November 22), after “evaluating received reports,” that the death toll from Iran’s protests had reached 115 people.
Source: DW
