Iran Protests: At least 234 Including 29 Children Killed/Families and Doctors Pressured to Confirm False Scenarios

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); October 25, 2022: At least 234 people, including 29 children have been killed in the ongoing nationwide protests. Iran Human Rights has also received many reports of authorities attempting to cover up the killing of protesters. Returning bodies is made contingent on families promising to stay silent or confirming the false causes of death cited by the Forensic Medical Organisation on the death certificates. In some cases, the slain were buried without families being notified and far from their residence.

Family members have been subjected to arrests and physical and mental ill-treatment to coerce them into agreeing with false narratives other than murder by security forces. The scenarios have included “falling from a height, car accident or poisoning by drugs, alcohol or food.”

On the other hand, there is increasing pressure on doctors and medical staff to issue death certificates as dictated by security forces. Supporting the request by Iranian doctors for a ban on security forces entering medical facilities, Iran Human Rights emphasises the necessity to establish safety zones to provide medical services to all victims without security forces’ interference in the treatment process and expert opinion to establish cause of death.

Iran Human Rights Director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said: “Forcing doctors to issue false death certificates, arresting injured protesters in hospitals and using ambulances to transport security forces are other examples of the Islamic Republic’s non-compliance and violation of international laws and moral principles in order to conceal its crimes. International organisations including WHO and ICRC, must show urgent and appropriate reaction to these breaches."