UN-sponsored Probe Accuses Iran of Torturing Detained Protesters

A group of United Nations-appointed human rights experts has accused Iran of torturing detained protesters during its violent crackdown on nationwide demonstrations that have since petered out. “Reports suggest that detainees are being tortured or are suffering other forms of ill-treatment, sometimes to extract forced confessions,” the independent experts, who do not officially represent the UN, said in reference to their findings. “Some are also reportedly being denied medical treatment, including for injuries caused by the security forces’ use of excessive force,” they added. This comes after the UN rights office earlier this month claimed that at least 7,000 people had been arrested in Iran since mass protests against the regime’s economic mismanagement and regional interventionism broke last month. Amnesty International recently alleged that Iranian forces had killed at least 304 people over a three-day period in November, a claim Tehran described as “utter lies.” However, the UN experts said “credible sources” had confirmed the figure, and that the total death total may top 400. They highlighted footage posted to social media apparently proving that Iranian forces “not only fired live ammunition at unarmed protesters, but also aimed at their heads and vital organs.”