Monthly Report November 2022, Iran Human Rights Monitor

Iran-HRM – Major violations of Human Rights in Iran included in this monthly are focused on continued protests that emerged throughout the country since September 16, 2022.

The Iranian authorities are the least transparent regarding publication of statistics. They also operate in secrecy; therefore, it is very difficult to provide accurate figures on the violations of human rights. This report is limited to the evidence and information we have been able to gather.

The right to life

According to statistics compiled by Iran Human Rights Monitor, at least 54 citizens were executed in Iran in November. Iran HRM has also been able to confirm the names of at least 555 protesters killed by Iran’s security forces. Of this list, at least 175 citizens were killed in November.

Among them are 65 minors (under the age of 18). Which includes a 2-year-old child, three 7-year-old girls, an 8-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old boy. The names of at least 60 women are present in the list.

Ahmad Alirezabeigi, member of the Iranian Parliament representing Tabriz, said: “For days, the number of people killed in the country remains high, but nobody explains who has killed them. They have shot them and made their families grieve (The state-run etemadonline.com – November 22, 2022.)

Violation of bodily integrity, pellets shot in protesters’ eyes

140 ophthalmologists warned of the use of pellets to crackdown on protesters in Iran. In a letter dated November 25, 2022, they stated that a high number of patients have referred to medical facilities because of pellets and paintballs shot in their eyes. Some have lost sight in one or both eyes.

Arbitrary arrests

The number of detainees during nationwide protests is estimated to be between 14,000 to 30,000.

Intelligence and security agents raided students’ dormitories and kidnap residents from their homes without a formal arrest warrant. They also kidnapped numerous citizens after beating them during protests. To include, 22 people kidnapped in Sarabla, Kermanshah Province, 12 in Piranshahr and 18 more in Mahabad, both in West Azerbaijan Province.

In just 11 days, at least 25 citizens, including 5 children, were arrested, or kidnapped by the state forces in Abdanan, Ilam Province.

Ill-treating prisoners and detainees

The prison situation is terrible and inhumane. Previously overcrowded prisons have become more congested with the added protest arrestees. They suffer lack of adequate space, food quality, decent medical care, access to heat or cooling devices, proper sleeping places, and air conditioning.

Unfair trials

Iran’s Judiciary has condemned the detained protesters to ‘moharebeh’ and ‘corruption on earth’ without holding any fair trials. It has so far issued death sentences for 6 detainees. Four of the convicts are Mohammad Ghobadlou, Mohammad Boroughani, Sahand Noor Mohammadzadeh, and Mahan Sedarat Madani.

Iranian authorities and Friday Prayer leaders have numerously called to expedite the punishment of protesters and to execute them. On November 19, 2022, at Ebrahim Raisi’s office, the three heads of government branches described safety of society as priority. They urged for the need to deal with rioters (protesters). 

Iran’s judiciary has already indicted about 2,000 protesters.

Military and bloody attack on ethnic and religious minorities

During the attack on protesters in Izeh, Khuzestan Province, plainclothes officers shot, killed, and injured many people. During the attack, Kian Pirfalak, a 10-year-old boy who was in a passing car with his family, was killed by government agents. Artin Rahmani and Sepehr Maghsoudi, 14, were among those killed in the attack on the people of Izeh.

Mobilizing forces to Kurdish cities

According to Kurdish sources, 104 Kurdish citizens have died during protests in Kurdistan. The Revolutionary Guards-IRGC launched attacks and counterinsurgency on Kurdistan Province. They targeted Kurdish cities with light and semi-heavy weaponry and stationed their arms in the city center of Mahabad.

The city’s power was cut off, during which, forces opened fire on people’s homes.

The Revolutionary Guards entered armored vehicles and helicopters to Kurdistan Province on Monday, November 21, 2022.

Witnesses from Javanrud reported the heavy infantry machine gun (Duska) used against civilians and helicopters were flown over the city.

Military and security forces deployed to Iran’s Kurdish region, used banned weapons and hexachloroethane gas. This gas is toxic and disrupts the central nerve system. It is also carcinogenic to humans and causes serious complications. It spreads a green smoke.

The cartridges of such gases which were fired at the people in Piranshahr were found. Those targeted suffered harsh breathing problems, vomiting, dizziness, and skin rashes.

State security forces opened fire on a vehicle that was rushing to deliver blood bags to casualties in Javanrud. The vehicle, coming from Kermanshah’s Blood Bank on November 21, 2022, was stopped. IRGC forces stole hospital facilities used to achieve blood donations by citizens. They prevented the donation that was supposed to be given to casualties in Javanrud from the Hazrat-e Rasool Hospital.

The IRGC forces and the Intelligence Department in Bukan, have killed and arrested dozens of people. More than 300 citizens have been injured, some of whom are in critical condition. Those wounded are treated outside medical centers as they fear being kidnapped. They require urgent need of blood, medicine, and surgery. There is no information surrounding the missing citizens. People’s homes have been raided, their jewelry and personal belongings robbed. Their mobile phones taken away and their cars smashed even inside the garage.

Bloody crackdown on protests in Sistan and Baluchestan

The bloody crackdown of September 30, 2022, on demonstrators in Zahedan left more than 100 people killed. The authorities, yet again, committed massacre against the deprived people of Sistan and Baluchestan on October 4, 2022. The guards opened fire from rooftops of the governor’s and other state-owned buildings. At least 20 worshipers in the city of Khash were killed and 60 injured.

Medical centers faced severe shortages of blood to treat the wounded and condition were very disturbing in Khash’s morgue.

Dozens of children, including a 7-year-old girl named Hasti Naru’i, were among the dead. At least 128 Baluchis who were killed during the protests have been identified. According to international standards, these are considered crimes against humanity.