HRW denounces the excessive use of force in the repression of protests in Iran

The NGO calls on the UN to investigate “these serious abuses” against mostly peaceful protesters

Dec. 21 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) has denounced this Wednesday that the security forces of Iran have used “excessive and illegal lethal force” against protesters between October and November of this year.

“Iranian authorities have unleashed alarming violence against protesters in Sanandaj since September,” said Tara Sepehri Far, senior Iran researcher at HRW.

“Both the protests and the government’s brutal response to them reflect the government’s long-standing repression of the cultural and political freedoms of the Kurdish people,” added the researcher.

Thus, he has urged the United Nations fact-finding mission on Iran to investigate the abuses as part of a report on human rights violations against protesters “mostly peaceful throughout the country.”

HRW researchers have pointed out that security forces agents used excessive and lethal force against anti-government protesters in violation of international human rights law, according to analysis of videos and photos posted on social media during the period in question.

In addition, the organization has interviewed 14 victims and witnesses, including three former detainees and family members of detainees.

The agents, who would have used shotguns and assault rifles, would have fired live ammunition, pellets, and tear gas at the protesters and homes, destroying private property.

The security forces can take appropriate measures against specific protesters who commit acts of violence, but this does not justify the security forces using excessive force, denounces the NGO.

Meanwhile, the organization has documented abuses against detainees, including women and children. These violations include arbitrary detention, torture, mistreatment, threats or sexual assault.

“The Iranian authorities have drastically intensified abuses against protesters in custody,” Sepehri Far lamented, before noting that governments seeking to hold Iran accountable for rights violations must pay special attention to detainee abuses.