Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); November 16, 2022: At least 342 people including 43 children and 26 women have been killed by security forces in the ongoing nationwide protests.
Thousands have also been arrested in the last two months, with some being at risk of death sentences for security-related charges of moharebeh (enmity against god) and efsad-fil-arz (corruption on earth) in show trials at the Revolutionary Courts. Of the 20 cases announced by the Judiciary, five have already been sentenced to death. Emphasising that the Islamic Republic’s Judiciary is not independent, but a part of the repressive system and the sentences lack all legitimacy, Iran Human Rights condemns the death sentences and calls on the international community to issue a strong warning to the Islamic Republic that the execution of protesters will not be tolerated.
Director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said: “Given that the current political and judicial officials all have a history of crimes against humanity in the 1980s, the recurrence of such crimes is possible. The international community, civil society and the people must raise the political cost of executions to prevent such atrocities taking place.”
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, at least 342 people including 43 children have been killed by security forces in the nationwide protests so far. Of the 43 children, nine were girls and three were Afghan-nationals. The 43 children were all under 18 years of age, but have not all been verified through document evidence. Iran Human Rights is working to obtain confirmation of their ages.
Death Toll by Province
Protesters have been killed in 23 provinces, with the most reported in Sistan and Baluchistan, Tehran, Mazandaran, Kurdistan and Gilan respectively.
Deaths have been recorded in 22 provinces: Sistan and Baluchistan: 123 people; Tehran: 39 people; Mazandaran: 33 people; Kurdistan: 32 people; Gilan: 23 people; Western Azerbaijan: 23 people; Alborz: 15 people; Kermanshah: 14 people; Khuzestan: 5 people; Khorasan-Razavi: 5 people; Isfahan: 4 people; Zanjan: 4 people; Lorestan: 3 people; Markazi: 3 people; Qazvin: 2 people; Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad: 2 people; East Azerbaijan: 2 people; Ardabil: 2 people; Ilam: 2 people; Hamedan: 2 people; Bushehr: 2 people; Semnan: 1 person; Kerman: 1 person.
The most number of deaths were recorded on 21, 22 and 30 September (Baluchistan’s “Bloody Friday”. November 4 was the bloodiest day this month with 16 recorded deaths.
Numbers are a “minimum”
The numbers of deaths published are an absolute minimum. Reports of protester killings in the last few days are still being investigated. Iran Human Rights has received a high volume of reports of deaths which it continues to investigate with security considerations and internet disruptions. The actual number of people killed therefore, is certainly higher.