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Amnesty Says Iran Protests Death Toll Now at 304, Will Rise Further

Michael Lipin

   Amnesty International says its documented death toll from Iran's recent
   anti-government protests will rise again from the group's latest report
   that at least 304 demonstrators were killed by security forces.

   "That is not a final figure by any means," said Amnesty's Middle East
   research director Philip Luther in a VOA Persian interview on Monday.
   Hours earlier, the [1]London-based rights group had updated its death
   toll for last month's Iran protests to 304 fatalities from its previous
   figure of 208 reported on Dec. 3.

   "We think the number could rise (further)," Luther said, citing the
   group's ongoing examination of "credible" reports showing Iranian
   security forces used live ammunition while suppressing several days of
   nationwide protests that erupted on Nov. 15.

   "(Iranian security forces) have shot protesters with guns and they have
   done so in some cases when the protesters actually have been running
   away from them. This shows a clear intention to use lethal force,"
   Luther said.

   In its update published Monday, Amnesty said its researchers determined
   that Iranian authorities arrested thousands of people as part of a
   "vicious" crackdown following the protests to stop them from speaking
   out about Iran's "ruthless repression." It said those arrested included
   children as young as 15, people who participated in the demonstrations,
   journalists, human rights defenders and students.

References

   1. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/12/iran-thousands-arbitrarily-detained-and-at-risk-of-torture-in-chilling-post-protest-crackdown/

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