Iran Acknowledges Thousands Killed in Ongoing Protests
Iran confirms widespread casualties from protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death, with hundreds killed and thousands arrested in nationwide uprising.
Iran’s leader acknowledges thousands of deaths in protests, denies responsibility
Iran death toll reportedly exceeds 16,000 amid protests | 7NEWS
Thousands of Iranian protesters estimated to have been killed | DW News
In a stark admission of the violence that has rocked Iran since September 2022, Iranian officials have acknowledged the devastating toll of nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab "improperly".
The Spark of Widespread Unrest
Amini was arrested by the Guidance Patrol on September 13, 2022, for allegedly violating Iran's mandatory hijab law. According to eyewitnesses, she was severely beaten by patrol officers, a claim denied by Iranian authorities. She subsequently collapsed, was hospitalized, and died three days later.
Scale of the Protests and Crackdown
The protests were described as "unlike any the country had seen before," representing the "biggest challenge" to the government and the "most widespread revolt" since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. At its peak, the demonstrations engulfed over 150 different cities, towns, and villages across all of Iran's 30 provinces.
Human Cost of the Uprising
According to Iran Human Rights, at least 551 protesters, including 68 children and 49 women, have been killed by state forces. Additionally, at least 22 protesters, including four children and eight women, have died by suicide or under suspicious circumstances.
Government Response and Repression
Authorities brutally repressed the widespread protests, with security forces using excessive and lethal force. The government arrested and sentenced scores of peaceful human rights activists on vague national security charges, while failing to investigate reports of abuse or torture.
International Condemnation
The UN Human Rights Council found that Amini's death was "unlawful and caused by physical violence" for which the state is responsible. Security forces were documented using firearms, including AK-47s and Uzis, resulting in injuries and deaths.
Ongoing Resistance
Two years after the protests began, the movement has exposed deep divisions, but some experts believe it has fundamentally shaken the Iranian regime. As one analyst noted, the protests "shook the Iranian regime to the core" and Iran is unlikely to return to its pre-2022 state, with fundamental shifts potentially on the horizon.
Sources: UN Human Rights Council Iran Human Rights Human Rights Watch
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