Radiofarda – – As the constitutional deadline in Iraq for naming a new prime minister ends on Tuesday, December 17, Iraqi protesters reiterate their demands the nominee should be independent and not accused of corruption. The renewed demonstrations on Saturday, December 14, in Baghdad’s main protest hub on Tahrir (Liberation) Square as well as other center-south cities, mainly Basra and …

Al-Arabia – A Princeton University scholar who was freed from Iran this month after three years in captivity said Monday that his release “is a victory of humanity and diplomacy across nations and political differences.” Xiyue Wang and his wife, Hua Qu, said in a statement to The Associated Press that the family is doing well and overjoyed by the …

Amnesty – As part of a violent and deadly crackdown, Iran’s authorities have been arbitrarily arresting thousands of protesters who are now at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. Act now and call for those arbitrarily arrested to be released. In November 2019, nationwide protests were sparked in Iran after the government announced a huge rise in petrol prices. Security …

 Amnesty – Thousands arrested including children as young as 15 Detainees subjected to enforced disappearance and torture At least 304 people killed in protests according to credible sources Iran’s authorities are carrying out a vicious crackdown following the outbreak of nationwide protests on 15 November, arresting thousands of protesters as well as journalists, human rights defenders and students to stop …

Iran-HRM – According to the latest reports at least 1,500 protesters have been killed during a three-day crackdown against November Iran protests in different provinces. At least 400 have been killed in Tehran, 320 in Kermanshah, 270 in Fars, 240 in Khuzestan, 120 in Isfahan, and 100 in Alborz (Karaj). According to eyewitnesses, hundreds of bodies were taken to Namazi hospital …

Iran-HRM – As more information is trickling out every day about the slaughter of defenseless people in Iran during the November 2019 protests, undeniable evidence sheds light on the crimes committed against humanity. Iranian officials are gradually acknowledging the crimes security forces have committed. On December 11, 2019, Amir Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, member of the Iranian regime’s parliament, confirmed the …

RFL/RE – Heavy smog has caused Tehran officials to order the closure of dozens of schools and suspend outdoor sporting activities in the Iranian capital. The decision to shut schools was announced December 14 by deputy governor Mohammad Taghizadeh, after a meeting of an emergency committee on air pollution. Schools will also close on December 16, Taghizadeh said in an …

VOA – Amnesty International said Monday that at least 304 people were killed in last month’s anti-government protests in Iran, a significantly higher number than what the rights group had reported previously. The protests, which lasted about four days in several cities and towns in Iran in November, were sparked by a sharp rise in gasoline prices. During the violence …

VOA – Lebanese security forces fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons Sunday to disperse hundreds of protesters for a second straight day, ending what started as a peaceful rally in defiance of the toughest crackdown on anti-government demonstrations in two months.The violence comes on the eve of a meeting between the president and parliamentary blocs in which resigned …

VOA – A supporter of Iraqi anti-government demonstrators was gunned down in Baghdad, a police source said Sunday, the fourth backer of the protest movement to be killed in two weeks. Mohammed al-Doujaili, 24, was shot in the back near the Tahrir Square protest hub on Saturday night, the police source said. Another man who was with him was wounded …