The number of people believed to have been killed during the Iranian authorities’ crackdown on recent demonstrations has risen to at least 208, after assessing the latest reports Amnesty International has received. The real figure is likely to be higher.
Amnesty compiled the death toll from reports whose credibility it ascertained by interviewing a range of sources inside and outside Iran, including victims’ relatives, journalists and human rights activists involved in gathering the information. It then crosschecked the information.
Extensive video footage verified and analysed by Amnesty’s Digital Verification Corps shows the Iranian security forces shooting at unarmed protesters.
Dozens of the deaths have been recorded in Shahriar city in Tehran province – one of the cities with the highest death tolls.
According to information gathered by Amnesty, families of victims have been threatened and warned not to speak to the media, or to hold funeral ceremonies for their loved ones. Some families are also being forced to make extortionate payments to have the bodies of their loved ones returned to them.
Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Middle East Research and Advocacy Director, said:
“This alarming death toll is further evidence that Iran’s security forces went on a horrific killing spree, that left at least 208 people dead in less than a week.
“Those responsible for this bloody clampdown on demonstrations must be held accountable for their actions.
“Since the Iranian authorities have previously shown they are unwilling to carry out independent, impartial and effective investigations into unlawful killings and other arbitrary use of force against protesters, we are calling on the international community to help ensure accountability.”
