Human Rights Groups Sound Alarm Over Iranian Protester Abuse
The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has revealed disturbing details about the treatment of protesters in Iran's security forces. Two individuals, a minor and an adult, were subjected to sexual abuse by riot police during their arrest in Kermanshah, western Iran.
According to Rebin Rahmani of the KHRN, security forces used batons to physically assault the detainees, causing severe injuries including anal trauma. The incident highlights the ongoing brutality faced by protesters in Iran as human rights groups warn of a significant increase in arbitrary arrests and torture following the nationwide uprising that has claimed over 3,700 lives since late December.
Detainees have reported widespread abuse, including beatings, rapes, and psychological torture. One woman who was detained during protests in 2022 told The Guardian she was blindfolded and subjected to sexual assault by her interrogators. Rights groups are now expressing concern about the treatment of over 20,000 protesters estimated to be held in custody.
The Norwegian Kurdish human rights group Hengaw confirmed that a pregnant woman from Langarud was killed along with her unborn child after security forces opened fire on protesters in north-west Iran on January 10. Additionally, Soran Feyzizadeh, a 40-year-old protester who died under torture while held in custody, had been detained during protests on January 7.
Hengaw said that the family of Soran Feyzizadeh was informed of his death two days after his body had barely recognizable due to the extensive injuries caused by repeated blows. The centre's executive director, Roya Boroumand, expressed extreme concern about the lives of detainees, highlighting a significant increase in arbitrary arrests and torture following the protests.
With the internet blackout continuing to limit access to information from inside Iran, human rights groups are calling for increased international scrutiny of the country's treatment of protesters.
The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has revealed disturbing details about the treatment of protesters in Iran's security forces. Two individuals, a minor and an adult, were subjected to sexual abuse by riot police during their arrest in Kermanshah, western Iran.
According to Rebin Rahmani of the KHRN, security forces used batons to physically assault the detainees, causing severe injuries including anal trauma. The incident highlights the ongoing brutality faced by protesters in Iran as human rights groups warn of a significant increase in arbitrary arrests and torture following the nationwide uprising that has claimed over 3,700 lives since late December.
Detainees have reported widespread abuse, including beatings, rapes, and psychological torture. One woman who was detained during protests in 2022 told The Guardian she was blindfolded and subjected to sexual assault by her interrogators. Rights groups are now expressing concern about the treatment of over 20,000 protesters estimated to be held in custody.
The Norwegian Kurdish human rights group Hengaw confirmed that a pregnant woman from Langarud was killed along with her unborn child after security forces opened fire on protesters in north-west Iran on January 10. Additionally, Soran Feyzizadeh, a 40-year-old protester who died under torture while held in custody, had been detained during protests on January 7.
Hengaw said that the family of Soran Feyzizadeh was informed of his death two days after his body had barely recognizable due to the extensive injuries caused by repeated blows. The centre's executive director, Roya Boroumand, expressed extreme concern about the lives of detainees, highlighting a significant increase in arbitrary arrests and torture following the protests.
With the internet blackout continuing to limit access to information from inside Iran, human rights groups are calling for increased international scrutiny of the country's treatment of protesters.