Increase in the number of detainees and killed people seeking freedom in the November 2019 protests in Iran
28-November-2019
Category: Freedom of Expression
Breathing in Confinement: 13 days after the nationwide protests began following the increase in gas price, no official figures have been released on the number of deaths, injuries, and arrests. Islamic Republic authorities have so far refused to announce the information.
According to Breathing in Confinement- the news organ of Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, in the wake of 7 days of Internet shutdown, people have been widely suppressed by the security forces.
Seven days later, with the re-establishment of Iran’s connection to the World Wide Web, access to information on events in various cities of the country has improved. However, considering the intimidation and threatening atmosphere created by security forces in most cities, the majority of families have remained silent. In addition, Islamic Republic authorities have so far refused to provide actual statistics on those arrested and killed in recent events. Local human rights activists’ efforts, however, are ongoing to obtain and gather the information.
Amnesty International in its latest report, released on Monday, November 25, 2019, has announced the death toll of at least 143 during the last week’s protests in Iran. Confirming use of firearms and excessive force by the Iranian Government, Amnesty International has urged the international community for a serious response against the Islamic Republic.
Amnesty International says there is “credible” evidence that Iranian security forces have used firearms against unarmed protesters.
“The rising death toll is an alarming indication of just how ruthless the treatment of unarmed protesters has been by the Iranian authorities and reveals their appalling assault on human life,” said Philip Luther, Research and Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.
On the other hand, Hussein Naqavi Hosseini, the spokesman for parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said that about 7,000 protesters have so far been arrested. Etemad newspaper in its November 26 issue, wrote that on Monday, an hour before a joint meeting between the two Parliamentary Committees of National Security and Foreign Policy with the security officials of the Ministries of Intelligence and Internal Affairs, the spokesman for parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee said: “About seven thousand people have been arrested “. He, however, subjected the announcement of the exact number of detainees, as well as other disputes over the issue of gasoline price and its challenges to the official comments.
Earlier in the second day of protests, Fars News Agency announced the number of detainees in the first 48 hours of the protests to be 1,000.
In addition, Shahr-E Rey County Council Chairman said that since the last week’s protests the number of detainees in Fashafuyeh prison has increased and that the prison is not capable of accommodating such a large number of detainees. “There are also dangerous detainees at Fashafuyeh prison and in this context, the responsibility of judiciary system is heavy,” said Hassan Khalil Abadi. He added: “Even the prison staffs are having difficult conditions there, let alone the prisoners.”
Unofficial news on the death of some of the protesters under custody has raised concerns about the detainees’ condition and their lack of access to their most basic rights. The fact that demands serious action from international organizations.