The US and Europe must take stronger positions to prevent further bloodshed in Iran.

Mordad 26, 1402 – As Iranian security forces continue to violently suppress peaceful protests in Khuzestan, which have spread to other regions of the country, The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran calls on the United States and the European Union to strongly condemn the violent and deadly acts against protesters and to call on Iranian authorities to respect the right to peaceful protest, release detainees, end the security blockade of many residential neighborhoods, and restore the internet so that people can share information and opinions about the performance of government forces.

Hadi Ghaemi, director of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, said, referring to the killing of hundreds of protesters and passersby by security forces in November 2019: "The last time there were widespread protests in Iran and the internet was shut down, there was a massacre."

The demonstrations that have been taking place in Khuzestan since July 14 were initially to protest water shortages, caused by a combination of drought conditions and government economic mismanagement. After being violently suppressed by security forces, these protests have turned into a movement to express public dissatisfaction with the inefficient system of the Islamic Republic.

According to Amnesty International, several people have been killed and many arrested by gunfire at protesters. Meanwhile, protests have spread to other cities across Iran, including Tehran, and have been quickly suppressed.

According to Hadi Ghaemi, director of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran: "It is time for President Biden to officially take a stand in defense of the Iranian people's right to peaceful protest, just as he has taken a stand against other countries that have violated human rights."

Ghaemi added: "In negotiations between governments and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the issue of human rights must be given priority, along with other security issues. Otherwise, there is a serious risk that protesters will be targeted by severe and widespread violence, and incidents like the November 2019 tragedies will remain hidden from the world's eyes due to the internet shutdown."

Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement on August 1: “I find the widespread deaths, injuries and arrests over the past week deeply concerning.”

He stressed that the Iranian people have no mechanism to express their dissatisfaction other than protest, adding: "The Iranian government, which is in dire need of a change of policy, should start by ordering security forces to comply with international laws regarding the use of weapons."

Source: Iran Human Rights Campaign