Amid claims that hundreds have been dead, the UN human rights head stated on Tuesday that he was “horrified” by the increasing violence against demonstrators throughout Iran.
Since Thursday, the clerical leadership has faced one of the greatest challenges since the shah was overthrown by the Islamic revolution in 1979 due to several nights of widespread protests.
Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on Tehran to reinstate full access to phone and internet services and to stop all forms of violence and persecution against peaceful demonstrators.
“The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop, and the labelling of protesters as ‘terrorists’ to justify violence against them is unacceptable,” Turk said in a statement.
“The authorities’ reaction is to inflict brutal force,” he continued, despite the fact that large segments of Iranian society have turned to the streets calling for fundamental changes in the country’s governance. “This cycle of horrific violence cannot continue.” The UN rights chief declared that the Iranian people’s demands for justice, equality, and fairness must be taken seriously.
According to Turk, all murders, acts of violence against demonstrators, and other abuses of human rights must be looked into in accordance with international human rights standards and norms, and the perpetrators must be held accountable.
He warned that several hospitals were reportedly overwhelmed by the number of casualties, including children.
“It also extremely worrying to see public statements by some judicial officials indicating the possibility of the death penalty being used against protesters through expedited judicial proceedings,” he added.
According to certain reports, security personnel have also been slain, he stated.
Rights organizations accuse the government of deploying live fire at protesters and hiding the scope of the crackdown with an internet shutdown, despite Iranian authorities’ insistence that they have restored control.
Iran Human Rights (IHR), an NGO based in Norway, reported that 648 people had died during the protests, including nine minors, and that many more had been injured. However, it cautioned that the death toll was probably far higher, “according to some estimates more than 6,000.”
Although Turk’s office is not physically present in Iran, it claimed to be getting accurate information from local sources. Although its data thus far indicates hundreds of deaths, it is unable to provide an exact, confirmed number.
“Iranians have the right to peacefully protest,” US President Donald Trump said on Monday, announcing a 25% tariff on any nation doing business with Iran. Trump has frequently threatened Iran with military involvement. Turk continued, “Their complaints must be acknowledged, addressed, and not exploited by anyone.
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