Who were the victims of Iran's crackdown on anti-regime protests?

Key Concepts

• Iranian Uprising (2022-2023): Protests in Iran beginning in December, sparked by economic grievances and evolving into broader calls for regime change.
• Government Crackdown: The violent suppression of protests by Iranian security forces, involving gunfire and widespread arrests.
• Verification of Casualties: Sky News’s effort to identify and document the deaths of protesters through local reports, social media, and open-source intelligence.
• Information Control: The Iranian government’s efforts to control information flow, including internet shutdowns and pressure on families of victims.
• Human Rights Violations: Allegations of excessive force, extrajudicial killings, and suppression of dissent by Iranian authorities.

The Iranian Uprising: Documenting Loss and Repression

This report details Sky News’s investigation into the deaths of protesters during the Iranian uprising that began in December. As of the time of reporting, Sky News has verified the identities of 110 individuals killed, though human rights groups estimate the actual death toll to be “in the low thousands,” potentially much higher due to widespread arrests and a lack of transparency. The investigation focuses on establishing when, how, and why these individuals were killed, revealing a pattern of violent suppression by the Iranian regime.

Escalation of Violence: January 8th as a Turning Point

January 8th emerged as a particularly violent day in the crackdown, with at least 41 of the verified victims being shot on that date across various Iranian cities. Prior to January 8th, footage from Tehran showed protesters marching peacefully. However, the following day, authorities cut off internet access and demonstrably intensified their response. Social media videos depict security forces firing upon unarmed civilians, alongside instances of protesters retaliating by setting fire to a police kiosk. This escalation marks a significant shift in the regime’s approach to controlling the unrest.

Individual Cases: Stories of Loss

The report highlights the stories of three individuals:

• Nazi Jan Pavore (27): A fashion designer married to a Spanish physiotherapist, Nazi was actively engaged in politics and expressed her desire for regime change on Facebook, stating, “Fight, fight until freedom, unity, and solidarity are necessary. For now, we only have the overthrow of this regime.” She was killed during protests in Tehran.
• Yasin Mirzai (31): A student at the University of Msina in Italy, Yasin had returned to Iran to visit his family. He previously expressed his prioritization of “a free and respectful life” over territorial disputes, stating, “The Persian Gulf is important to us, but a free and respectful life is more important to us. Our voice of justice, demand, and human dignity should not be lost.” He was killed during protests in Kerman.
• Sorna Gulun (18): A chemical engineering student, Sorna was killed by a bullet to the back. His final Instagram post, depicting him smiling in the mountains, contrasts sharply with his violent death. A witness stated, “He left his home for freedom. Uh and after that, they shot him from behind. did the bullet tore uh his uh heart and lungs and uh he died at the spot.”

Obstacles to Investigation and Family Pressure

Families of the deceased face significant obstacles in retrieving their loved ones’ bodies, with at least seven families reportedly paying “thousands of pounds” to morgues. Furthermore, these families are allegedly being pressured to conceal the truth surrounding the circumstances of their relatives’ deaths. The lack of official information and the government’s control over media contribute to the difficulty in accurately assessing the scale of the violence. As one individual who recently escaped Iran stated, “The state does not want to talk about it and we do not have access to that information. But at least five people have been killed in our neighborhood in Kerman.” He further described seeing “small bags…throwing…I realized that, oh my god, these are children’s.”

Government Narrative and Counter-Claims

The Iranian authorities attribute the unrest to “foreign enemies” and “terrorist elements” who allegedly infiltrated peaceful protests and instigated “armed riots.” They claim the initial economic protests were sabotaged by these external forces. This narrative directly contradicts reports from Sky News and human rights groups, which indicate a widespread and largely peaceful movement demanding political and social change.

Ongoing Investigation and Unidentified Victims

Sky News continues to investigate and compile a comprehensive list of victims, acknowledging that “thousands of people whose names we don't know yet and whose deaths we haven't yet been able to verify” remain unaccounted for. The investigation underscores the urgent need for independent and transparent investigations into the events surrounding the Iranian uprising.

Technical Terms

• Open-Source Information (OSINT): Information gathered from publicly available sources, such as social media, news reports, and government websites.
• NGO (Non-Governmental Organization): A non-profit organization that operates independently of governments, often advocating for specific causes. (e.g., Hana Human Rights)

Synthesis

The Sky News investigation reveals a disturbing pattern of violence and repression during the Iranian uprising. The evidence points to a deliberate and forceful crackdown on protesters, resulting in a significant number of deaths, particularly among young people. The Iranian government’s attempts to control information and deflect blame highlight the severity of the human rights situation and the challenges faced by those seeking truth and accountability. The ongoing investigation underscores the importance of documenting these events and amplifying the voices of the victims and their families.