Amnesty International Calls for Restraint from Iranian Police Against Kurdish Protesters

Following the death of a girl from Mahabad and clashes between security forces and protesters in the city, Amnesty International on Friday, May 18, called for restraint from Iran's law enforcement and security forces in dealing with demonstrations regarding this incident. Amnesty International states that Iranian security forces must refrain from unnecessary violence against protesting Kurdish citizens. According to Iranian security officials, at least 25 people, including seven police officers, were injured in the clashes on Thursday. Following the death of Parinaz Khosravani, who is said to have been an employee at the Tara Hotel in Mahabad, and reports regarding her alleged suicide, the city witnessed a protest gathering, during which reports indicate that the Tara Hotel was set on fire during clashes between protesters and riot police. Said Boumdoha, the Middle East deputy director of Amnesty International, stated that tensions in Mahabad and Kurdish cities in Iran are high following the clashes on Thursday. While law enforcement has the responsibility to maintain order, they are obliged to confront protests according to international standards and criteria. This Amnesty International official added that a heavy police response to suppress the violent behavior of a minority group, while most protests have been peaceful, only exacerbates tensions. The human rights organization also urged Iranian security forces to respect the right of citizens to peaceful assembly and protest. While Amnesty International has called for adherence to international standards in dealing with detainees from the recent events in Mahabad, on Saturday, May 19, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the first deputy of the judiciary, stated that 'a number of individuals have been summoned and arrested' in connection with the unrest in Mahabad. According to Fars News Agency, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a graduation ceremony for students at the Judicial Sciences University, commented on the clashes on Thursday in Mahabad: 'In the matter of the Mahabad incident, several individuals have been summoned and several have been arrested, and the case is under investigation, with results to be announced and details to be clarified as the case progresses.' According to ISNA, the first deputy of the judiciary also responded to a question regarding the confession of the suspect in this case, which was reported by the social deputy of the police, stating: 'In summary, the fault is clear in this case, but we must allow the issue to be investigated and details to be clarified.' Reporters referred to the statements of the social deputy of the police, who on Saturday indicated that 'the suspect in the Mahabad case has no security position and is a local resident,' announcing that the suspect has been arrested and confessed to the crime. According to Mehr News Agency, the social deputy of the police explained the circumstances of Parinaz Khosravani's death, stating: 'This incident occurred when the young woman, after her family was informed of her appointment with another individual, intended to move from one room to another via the balcony and fell to her death.' Meanwhile, some local websites and news pages on social media, such as Facebook, claimed that Parinaz Khosravani committed suicide to escape from 'a security agent' who intended to assault her. Furthermore, Said Montazeralmohdi, the social deputy of the police, regarding the arrests related to the burning of the Tara Hotel, stated: 'Several individuals have been arrested as suspects in the incident.' Iranian law enforcement and judicial officials have not provided further explanations about the detainees and their number. The social deputy of the police also announced that during the unrest on Thursday, 'a number of Mahabadi citizens were injured,' stating: 'The injured were treated on an outpatient basis, and fortunately, there were no fatalities in this incident.' However, a news website reported that during the clashes on Thursday, law enforcement 'used pellet guns and tear gas to disperse the protesters.' In this context, the judiciary official denied the 'rumor of assault on the deceased' in Mahabad.