The repression in Iran has been revised upwards: at least 304 people were killed in the protest that hit the country between 15 and 18 November, according to a new count released on Monday 16 December by Amnesty International.
"Iranian authorities continue fierce crackdown after nationwide protests on November 15, arresting thousands of protesters as well as journalists, human rights defenders and students to prevent them from saying what they think of this ruthless repression ", accuses the human rights NGO in a press release.
Amnesty says it weighed down its latest toll of the unrest published on December 2 (at least 208 dead) in "At least 304 people (…) killed " through "The use of lethal force" in the repression of the dispute, including at least two adolescents, aged 15 and 17 years old.
Only five deaths confirmed by the authorities
The NGO says it has collected "The trying testimonies of witnesses" suggesting that "The Iranian authorities almost immediately after massacring hundreds of people (…) have implemented a large-scale crackdown designed to inspire everyone to be afraid to speak openly about what happened ”.
The dispute had erupted on November 15 as soon as a sharp rise in gas prices was announced, in the midst of an economic crisis, and had affected a hundred cities. Authorities said they brought the order down within a few days. This at the cost of one "Horrible killing", denounced Amnesty in early December.
Authorities have so far confirmed only five deaths: four law enforcement personnel killed by "Rioters" and a civilian. Announced in early December by the government, the publication of an official balance sheet based on figures from the national forensic institute is still pending.
"Enforced disappearances" and "incommunicado detentions"
Amnesty says it has received information from several independent sources that, a month after the outbreak of popular discontent, "Security forces continue to conduct roundups across the country to arrest people at home or at work".
Its press release evokes the fate of 15-year-olds "Inmates with adults" and detention centers "Severely overcrowded", "Enforced disappearances" and dozens of "Incommunicado detentions".
The NGO calls Tehran "To release immediately and unconditionally all those who are arbitrarily detained" and urges the international community to lobby " without delay " on Iran, otherwise " thousands (of prisoners) remain at risk of torture or ill-treatment ”.
