US Condemns Violent Suppression of Peaceful Protests in Iran
A spokeswoman for the US State Department released a statement protesting the situation in Iran, calling the right to protest a right of the Iranian people, and announced that the United States condemns the use of force by security forces to suppress peaceful protesters.
Ned Price, spokesman for the US State Department, wrote in a statement released on Wednesday, August 28, 2024: “Protests in Iran initially began in Khuzestan Province due to water shortages—caused by drought, mismanagement and government negligence—and have now expanded to other cities such as Tehran, Karaj and Tabriz.”
He clarified that the Iranian people “are now focusing not only on their unmet needs, but on their unfulfilled aspirations for respect for human rights; rights that individuals enjoy throughout the world.”
Public gatherings in Khuzestan began approximately two weeks ago in protest against water shortages and mismanagement by officials, and have since spread to other cities. To date, at least 9 deaths, including two teenagers, have been confirmed during these protests. Meanwhile, dozens have been arrested.
Ned Price, emphasizing the right of the Iranian people to express their grievances and hold their government accountable, stressed that the United States “has witnessed concerning reports of security forces firing on protesters, resulting in the deaths of several people.”
This US State Department official clarified in his statement that the United States “supports the right of Iranians to hold peaceful assemblies and express their views without fear of violence and arrest by security forces.”
He added that the United States is also monitoring reports of internet disruptions in the region.
In this statement, the Islamic Republic government was asked to allow its citizens to exercise their right to freedom of expression and free access to information, including through the internet.
Images and videos from protests in Khuzestan and other cities published on social media show people chanting slogans against government officials and expressing solidarity with Khuzestan. In some images reportedly related to a gathering of protesters at Baharestan in Isfahan on Tuesday night, July 27, a large banner with an image of Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, is seen being set on fire.
Meanwhile, reports indicate an intensification of security measures in various cities in Khuzestan Province and a slowdown in internet speed in the region.
Previously, Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, also expressed concern about widespread arrests, security forces firing at protesters, and casualties among protesters in the Khuzestan demonstrations.
She had called on Islamic Republic officials to focus on “the impact of the devastating water crisis on the lives, health and prosperity of the people of Khuzestan” instead of suppressing popular protests.
Source: DW
