International organizations for the protection of human rights accuse the country’s security forces of “indiscriminately targeting civilians”.
Protests continued over the weekend, despite heightened security measures following statements by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who called the protestors “rioters”.
The US-based organization “Human right activists” (HRAI) states that so far 990 people have been arrested, while at least 20 people have lost their lives, “The Guardian” reported.
According to these sources, fifteen-year-old Mustafa Falahi from central Iran is among the minors who died.
The Oslo-based organization Hengav said Falahi was killed on January 1 during an intervention by security forces.
Hengav also stated that on January 3, 17-year-old Rasul Kadivarian and his 20-year-old brother Reza were killed in the city of Kermanshah.
HRAI Deputy Director Skylar Thompson stated that the organization documented these sufferings, as well as the arrests of at least 44 children, stressing that the presence of young people at protests requires special protection in accordance with international law.
Witnesses from the field say that during the weekend in some parts of western Iran, people gathered shouted slogans against the government and demanded the release of the arrested demonstrators, after which the security forces intervened.
Human rights organizations announced during the weekend that the security forces intervened in the hospitals where the injured protesters were taken.
According to the Hengav organization, security forces use means to break up protests without distinguishing between adult and minor participants, while those detained, they claim, are exposed to harsh treatment before being transferred to unknown locations.
According to HRAI, the protests erupted due to the collapse of the national currency and rising cost of living, and have spread to at least 78 cities and 222 locations, with protesters demanding an end to the current regime.
The protests began among traders and shopkeepers due to economic hardship, before spreading to university students and protesters in the provinces.
Demonstrators chanted against the Iranian government, and economic problems, such as inflation exceeding 36 percent, further worsened the situation.
Iran’s currency, the rial, has lost almost half its value against the dollar, causing dire conditions for many citizens.
In response to the unrest, Iranian authorities tried a two-pronged approach, acknowledging the economic crisis but using violence against stronger forms of protest.
Over the weekend, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that the authorities will “talk to the protesters” but that “the rioters should be put in their place”, reports “b92”.
(Vijesti.ba)
