Protests in Iran: A Grim Reality for Teenage Protesters
The recent nationwide protests in Iran have brought to light a deeply concerning issue: the sexual assault of a 16-year-old protester in custody. According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN), the teenager was among two people detained in Kermanshah who reported being subjected to sexual abuse by riot police during their arrest.
Details of the Assault
Rebin Rahmani, a representative from KHRN, shared harrowing details of the incident. He stated, “During the transfer, security forces touched their bodies with batons. They beat and applied pressure to the anal area with a baton through the clothing.” The group has been in contact with sources close to the minor’s family, but due to the ongoing communication blackout in Iran, further information remains scarce.
Human Rights Concerns
Human rights groups have expressed deep concern over the treatment of more than 20,000 protesters estimated to have been arrested since the start of the protests in late December. The situation is reminiscent of the nationwide protests in 2022, when detainees reported rapes, beatings, and torture by police. One woman told The Guardian she had been blindfolded and sexually assaulted by her interrogators.
Escalating Violence and Deaths
Since the start of the current protests, the death toll has risen significantly. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, 3,766 people have been killed, and an additional 8,949 reported deaths are under investigation. The Norway-based Kurdish human rights group Hengaw reported that Sholeh Sotoudeh, a pregnant woman from Langarud, was killed along with her unborn child after forces opened fire on protesters in north-west Iran on 10 January.
Another Tragic Loss
In the latest unrest, at least one protester, 40-year-old Soran Feyzizadeh, has died as a result of torture while being held in custody. Hengaw stated that Feyzizizadeh was detained during protests on 7 January and that his family was informed of his death two days later. “His body was barely recognisable due to the extent of injuries caused by repeated blows,” said Awyar Shekhi, of Hengaw, who added that the family had to “pay a heavy sum just to retrieve his body from the authorities”.
Impact on Families and Communities
The situation in Iran has not only led to physical harm but has also caused immense emotional distress for families and communities. A close relative of Feyzizizadeh shared a message with The Guardian, expressing the difficulties faced by the family. “The city [Saqqez in western Iran] was militarised and movement was completely restricted. I wanted to be with my family during this time but they didn’t allow it. They didn’t allow anyone to be with our family,” the relative said.
International Attention and Response
The escalating violence and human rights abuses in Iran have drawn international attention. Rights groups and activists are calling for a thorough investigation into the treatment of protesters and the deaths that have occurred. The world is watching, and the need for accountability and justice is becoming increasingly urgent.
Conclusion
The case of the 16-year-old protester is just one example of the dire situation in Iran. As protests continue and the death toll rises, the international community must take note and act to ensure that human rights are protected and that justice is served. The voices of the protesters must not be silenced, and their suffering must not be ignored.
