Under the title "Amnesty International: Iran Used Deadly Weapons to Crush Protests," the Al-Arabiya website reported that as protests continue, which began last week in the Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran due to water shortages and poor living conditions, Amnesty International confirmed that Iranian security forces used deadly automatic weapons and rifles to suppress largely peaceful demonstrations across Khuzestan province.
The organization stated in a statement today, Friday, that Iranian security forces killed at least 8 people in 7 different cities and injured and arrested dozens since the outbreak of the protests in Ahvaz.
A Terrible Record
The organization called on Iranian authorities to immediately stop using automatic weapons and rifles and to release all detainees. It also noted that Iranian authorities have a "terrible record of using unlawful deadly force," pointing out that the events in Khuzestan remind one of what occurred in November 2019.
Demand for Transparent Investigations
Earlier, Human Rights Watch urged Tehran to conduct transparent investigations into at least three deaths among the protesters and hold those responsible accountable, in addition to addressing the water shortage issue. Tara Sepahri Far, a researcher at the organization, stated that Iranian authorities have a concerning record of responding with bullets to protesters frustrated by rising economic difficulties and deteriorating living conditions.
Quick Problem Resolutions
It is noteworthy that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ordered the Khuzestan governor to utilize all necessary resources in coordination and cooperation with all agencies to urgently address the issues in the province. The protests in Khuzestan have resulted in several fatalities and injuries in recent days. Videos from the protests in various areas of Ahvaz show security forces dealing harshly with protesters for the eighth consecutive day.
Previous Protests
Khuzestan is considered one of Iran’s main oil-producing regions and one of the richest of the 31 provinces. It is also home to a large minority of Arab residents. The province's residents have previously complained of being marginalized by the authorities. In 2019, Khuzestan witnessed anti-government protests that also affected other regions of the country.
