Single Event

Description

The November 2019 protests in Iran were a series of nationwide demonstrations that began on November 15, 2019, in response to a sudden and significant increase in fuel prices. According to HRANA, Human Rights Activists' News agency, the November protests took place in 719 locations across the country.

The protests were sparked by the government’s decision to triple the price of gasoline, with prices rising by up to 300%. The move was intended to curb fuel smuggling and provide cash payments to the poorest 75% of the population, but it backfired, leading to widespread unrest and violence.

In the days following the November 2019 protests, videos and reports of security forces using live ammunition against unarmed protesters were released. By the end of the protest, the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the parliament announced that about 7,000 people had been detained.

On December 6, 2019, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights announced that at least 208 people had been killed in these protests.

According to its report, "security forces responded to unarmed protesters with water cannons, tear gas, batons, and live ammunition," and "according to some reports, the Basij and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps used live ammunition against demonstrators." It also stated that "verified video footage shows severe violence against protesters, including armed individuals and security forces shooting from rooftops of a courthouse in one city and helicopters in another."

Facts:
Iranian security forces, including Basij paramilitary forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, suppressed protests with full force. Reports and videos confirm the use of live ammunition against unarmed protesters.

The United Nations confirmed the use of live ammunition, water cannons, tear gas, and batons against protesters. Verified video footage shows armed security forces shooting from rooftops and helicopters in several cities. HRA as well as numerous human rights organizations published similar reports.

Legal and human rights considerations:
- Right to life: The use of live ammunition against unarmed protesters is a violation of the right to life.
- Prohibition of torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment: The excessive use of force, including the use of real ammunition and tear gas, against unarmed non-combatants constitutes cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.
- Freedom of assembly and peaceful demonstrations: Suppression of protesters violates their right to assemble and engage in peaceful demonstrations.

Crimes against humanity:
- Killing: The killing of protesters could be considered a crime against humanity given proper assessment.
- Other inhumane acts: The use of severe violence, including shooting from rooftops and helicopters, resulting in serious injuries, may be considered other inhumane acts deliberately causing great suffering or serious harm.
- Torture and maltreatment: The targeted use of violence against demonstrators can be considered instances of harassment, torture, and crimes against humanity for political or social reasons.

The use of live ammunition resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people and the verified violence by security forces during the November 2019 protests raises serious concerns about the violation of the right to life, freedom of peaceful assembly, and the prohibition of cruel behavior. The actions of Basij paramilitary forces, the Revolutionary Guard, and other security forces may constitute crimes against humanity, including killings, harassment, and inhumane acts

Violation Types

Right to Life
Freedom of Assembly and Association
Prohibition of Torture or to Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

Possible International Crimes

Murder as a crime against humanity
Harassment and torture as crimes against humanity, in political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, and gender domains
Crime against humanity through an inhumane act that has significant effects