Iranian security forces have shot dead at least two protesters as demonstrations sparked by Masa Amini’s death escalate on the anniversary of a bloody crackdown in 2019.
Protesters are responding to calls to remember those killed in the 2019 crackdown, with the death of 22-year-old Amini in mid-September after being arrested on suspicion of ignoring Iran’s strict dress code. gave new impetus to the demonstrations caused by for women.
In Tehran, the noise of honking horns echoed as demonstrators blocked the main roundabout in Sanat Square and shouted “freedom, freedom,” according to confirmed footage.
Later, the streets of other cities, including Bandar Abbas and Shiraz, were also flooded with women seen waving scarves over their heads.
As the night fell, more people appeared on the streets of the capital, gathering around bonfires and chanting “death to the dictator,” according to 1500tasvir’s social media monitors.
“Government forces opened fire directly in most of the cities where the riots took place, including Sanandaj, Kamyaran and Kermanshah,” Norway-based rights group Hengo told AFP.
“Two people have been killed in direct fire by government forces in Sanandaj and Kamyaran,” he said, adding that he was trying to confirm reports that more protesters had been killed.
The United Nations Office for Human Rights has called on Iran to immediately release thousands of people arrested for participating in peaceful demonstrations.
“Instead of opening a dialogue on legitimate grievances, the authorities are responding with increasing severity to the unprecedented protests,” he told reporters in Geneva.
In a video seen by AFP, a large crowd chanted outside Tehran’s metro station, referring to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying, “This is the year of blood. Sayyid Ali has been overthrown.” I will,” he chanted.
In Iran’s western Kurdistan province, where Amini is from, workers destroyed tools and college students boycotted classes, Hengaw said.
In the state’s flashpoint city of Sanandaj, other online footage showed protesters burning tires in the streets and chanting anti-government slogans.
In a video published by 1500tasvir, “Women, Life, Liberty” and “Men, Motherland, Prosperity” were chanted to male and female students at the Islamic Azad University in the northwestern city of Tabriz.
Tuesday’s protests marked the third anniversary of the start of “Bloody Avant” (Bloody November). At this time, a sudden overnight increase in fuel prices sparked bloody street violence that lasted for days.
Amnesty International said at least 304 people died in protests three years ago, but expert evidence at a trial by various human rights groups in London this year put the death toll at a much higher rate. It was suggested that there were many people in Japan, possibly as many as 1,515.
The Oslo-based Iranian human rights group said on Saturday that security forces had killed at least 326 people, including 43 children and 25 women, in a crackdown on ongoing protests.
The uproar, fueled by anger over women’s dress codes, has grown into a widespread movement against the theocracy that has ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
It shows no signs of abating, despite the use of lethal force by authorities and a campaign of mass arrests that have seized activists, journalists and lawyers.
Former president and reformist Mohammad Khatami has rejected the idea of regime change in the Islamic Republic, while admitting he is unhappy with the current government.
“overthrow [of the system] Khatami, who served as president from 1997 to 2005, reportedly told a reformist newspaper:
