Hawarnews – Protests continue in East Kurdistan and several other Iranian cities, amid a significant escalation of security measures by the authorities. The Iranian Human Rights Organization (HRANA) reported that 16 protesters have been killed and 582 others arrested during eight days of demonstrations.
The report indicated that among those killed and arrested are minors under the age of 18, including 17-year-old youths, raising serious concerns about violations against children. The authorities have designated sections 15 and 16 of Karaj Prison to detain protesters, and approximately 200 detainees have been transferred to Qom Prison.
In Yasuj city of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmed governorate, 81 protesters, mostly minors, were arrested and taken to Yasuj Prison. In addition, many of the injured have refused to receive the medical treatment for fear of arrest within health centers.
During this period, HRANA recorded 174 protests in 60 cities and 25 governorates, including 18 student gatherings at 15 universities, during which, the protesters chanted slogans against the deteriorating economic conditions and the high cost of living, criticized government policies, and demanded individual and social freedoms and justice.
The protests began on December 28, 2015, as a result of the worsening economic, political, and social crises in Iran, and continues to this day.