According to a report by Human Right Watch, at least 30 people killed and 50 others detained by Iranian security forces during the peaceful protests in Tehran since January 2018.
“At least 30 people have been killed in protests, but officials have not shown any sign of conducting impartial investigations either into those deaths, or into law enforcement officials’ use of excessive force to repress protests,” read the report published on August 31.
Thousands of Iranian across the country protested against the critical economic condition, which was especially worsened after the US departure of Iran’s nuclear deal.
“The Iranian government is using the authoritarian playbook to respond to protests, criminalize peaceful dissent, and protect security forces from scrutiny,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.
“Rather than blaming ‘foreign elements’ for protests, Iranian authorities should allow citizens to critique the government through their right to peaceful dissent,” Whitson added.
According to HRW, Iranian detainees faced abuse and horrific conditions in prisons.
“Iranian authorities should drop all charges brought against protesters for peaceful assembly and release those detained on that basis,” asked Human Rights Watch.
