Iran crackdown: At least 200 children killed, schools under pressure • FRANCE 24 English

Iran Protests: Documenting School Children Casualties & Current School Climate

Key Concepts:

• Sitta (Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers Trade Association): An organization actively documenting casualties and the evolving situation within Iran, particularly focusing on the impact on students and teachers.
• Repression Pattern: The observed sequence of events following protests in Iran – initial street crackdowns followed by targeted repression of individuals, including students and teachers.
• School Avoidance: Increasing instances of students refusing to attend school due to fear and anxiety stemming from the protests and subsequent monitoring within educational institutions.
• Confirmed Figures (Minimum): The documented numbers of casualties are considered the minimum due to the dangerous conditions hindering complete data collection.

I. Death Toll and Initial Protests

The official death toll from last month’s crackdown across Iran has reached 7,02 confirmed deaths, according to a US-based human rights activists news agency. However, the actual number of fatalities is believed to be significantly higher, with many more deaths suspected. Disturbingly, among those killed were school children.

II. Sitta’s Documentation Efforts & Risks

Shiva Amelad, international representative of Sitta, detailed the organization’s efforts to document the deaths of school pupils. Sitta has confirmed at least 270 deaths of individuals under the age of 18, with some cases involving children under six years old. This figure is considered a minimum due to the extreme difficulty and danger involved in gathering information.

Documenting these deaths is exceptionally risky. Individuals providing information – even possessing a video on their phone – face arrest and accusations. This creates a climate of fear and severely restricts the flow of information. As Amelad stated, “giving out this information is very dangerous for them. We have a lots of people that has been arrested because only they have a one video on their camera on their phone and they have communicated with someone outside of the country.”

III. Timeline & Internet Shutdown Impact

A significant portion of the killings occurred between January 8th and 10th, coinciding with a nationwide internet shutdown in Iran. This disruption hampered communication and likely contributed to the difficulty in accurately assessing the scale of the violence. The gradual emergence of information underscores the challenges faced by organizations like Sitta.

IV. Current Situation in Schools: Monitoring & Psychological Impact

Recent reports from Sitta indicate a concerning shift within the school environment. Individuals who are not educators have been introduced into schools under various titles, with the primary function of monitoring and oversight. This has created a climate of caution and restricted dialogue between students and teachers.

This increased surveillance is having a profound psychological impact on students. Many have witnessed violence, seen peers killed, or lost friends. As Amelad explained, “instead of school being a safe place of safety, it can feel like another space for fear.” The report highlights rising levels of anxiety and school avoidance among students. This is a direct consequence of the trauma experienced during the protests and the continued tension within the school system.

V. Repression Pattern Explained

Amelad described a consistent pattern of repression in Iran: initial street crackdowns are followed by targeted repression of individuals, including students and teachers, even after protests appear to subside. This pattern explains why Sitta’s documentation efforts are crucial and why the risks to those providing information are so high. She stated, “experience has shown a clear uh pattern in Iran whenever the regime believe the street are under control. The repression move into the next step and continues in this now that we are in the detention center in the solitary containment and in the uh with the people under pressure.”

VI. Technical Terms & Definitions

• Solitary Containment: A form of imprisonment where an individual is isolated from human contact, often used as a method of psychological pressure.
• Acronym: Sitta is an acronym for the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers Trade Association.

Conclusion:

The situation in Iran remains deeply concerning. The documented deaths of over 270 school children represent a tragic loss and highlight the brutality of the crackdown. The current climate of fear and monitoring within schools is exacerbating the psychological trauma experienced by students and creating a barrier to education and healing. Sitta’s ongoing documentation efforts, despite significant risks, are vital for shedding light on the true extent of the violence and its impact on Iranian society. The shift towards monitoring within schools signals a continuation of repression, extending beyond the streets and into the educational system.