At Least 45 Killed, Including Eight Children; Report on 12 Days of Resistance Against Repression

Twelve days after the start of a new wave of anti-government protests in Iran, the Iran Human Rights Organization has reported that at least 45 protesters have been killed, including 8 children, and hundreds have been injured. According to this organization, repressive forces have used military weapons against protesters while simultaneously launching a wave of widespread and collective arrests in various cities, with the number of detainees from the recent protests exceeding two thousand. The report states that on January 7, 2023, 13 protesters lost their lives; a day that has been recorded as one of the bloodiest days of this round of protests. In western regions of the country, the deaths of at least eight people during protests on that day have been reported, and the organization has also confirmed the deaths of five other protesters in the cities of Shiraz, Malard, Chenaran, and Drykbijar in Gilan. The organization condemned the violent repression of protesters, emphasizing that the use of military weapons against citizens who have taken to the streets to protest constitutes an 'international crime,' and the international community must respond immediately and decisively. Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam, director of the Iran Human Rights Organization, stated: 'Evidence shows that the scope of repression against protesters is becoming more violent and widespread every day. The United Nations and the international community have a responsibility to prevent the widespread killing of protesters with a decisive response within the framework of international law.' According to this organization, the new wave of protests began on January 7, 2023, in response to poor economic conditions, starting from the Tehran market but quickly spreading with anti-government slogans to various parts of the country. So far, protests have spread to 31 provinces and about 110 cities in Iran. Simultaneously, universities have also become important centers of protest; over the past twelve days, at least 36 universities have witnessed student gatherings and anti-government slogans. The Iran Human Rights Organization has announced that at least 45 protesters have been killed in 11 provinces since the beginning of these protests; this figure only includes cases that have been directly confirmed by this organization or at least two independent sources. According to received information, eight of the deceased were under 18 years old, although complete identity documents for all of them to determine their exact age are still not available, and the verification process is ongoing. The Iran Human Rights Organization states that more reports of protesters being killed in various cities have been received, which are under review and confirmation, and if verified, the number of victims will increase.