Human Rights Watch Director: We Have Received Disturbing Reports of Protesters Being Killed in Iran

The director of Human Rights Watch warned on Monday about the intensification of crackdowns against the national and revolutionary uprising in Iran and called for urgent intervention from the international community. Philippe Bolopion, the executive director of the organization, noted the widespread disruption of access to the global network, stating that "for several days now, officials in Iran have been trying to suppress news by blocking the internet." He emphasized that despite these efforts to conceal events, "we are receiving very disturbing reports of the widespread killing of protesters by security forces." Bolopion expressed deep concern for the fate of thousands of protesters who have recently been sent to detention centers, stating that "we are extremely worried about those who were arrested last week; officials have accused them of 'moharebeh,' which carries the death penalty in Iran." The executive director of Human Rights Watch described the current situation as an "emergency," urging international bodies to break their silence and added: "We call on the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council to immediately discuss this situation and send a very strong message to Iran's leadership that they will be held accountable." This report comes as human rights organizations have warned that Iran is facing one of the deadliest periods of repression in recent years. Earlier, the UN Secretary-General expressed horror at reports of violence and excessive use of force against protesters in Iran, urging Iranian officials to exercise restraint and restore internet and mobile communications as soon as possible. According to a spokesperson for Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General emphasized that all citizens of Iran must be able to express their grievances peacefully and without fear, and that their fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, assembly, and peaceful association, must be fully respected in accordance with international law. The Secretary-General has called on Iranian officials to refrain from unnecessary or disproportionate use of force and to take immediate actions to ensure free access to information, including restoring communications.