Thread by @SinaToossi

In the past 11 weeks of #IranProtests, over 400 have been killed by security forces, including at least 50 minors.

Over 18,000 have reportedly been arrested, w at least 10 facing charges that could lead to the death penalty.

A 🧵on the scale of repression & int'l accountability

Yesterday, @UNICEF condemned violence against children in Iran.

It noted that Iran is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child & must "fulfil the rights of children to life, privacy, freedom of thought & peaceful assembly."

unicef.org.uk/press-releases…

The over 50 Iranian children & adolescents killed since September underscores the total disregard that Iranian authorities have for their international obligations. They weren't just killed at protests, but while in the car w/ their parents, or in raids at schools.

Iranian authorities of course deny any rights violations & contend that only "armed rioters" have been confronted.

This is why an independent, impartial investigation is necessary, which is precisely what @UN_HRC voted to establish last Thursday.

news.un.org/en/story/2022/…

For the first time, an international "truth-finding" body will exist that will investigate abuses in Iran.

It will comprehensively gather evidence of human rights violations & can help protect the rights of protestors.

For the first time, those in Iran that are responsible for suppressing peaceful protestors will know that the eyes of the @UN_HRC will be focused on them & their rights violations will be documented by a credible & legitimate international institution.

Iranian authorities would have been wise to cooperate with the investigation & increasing transparency.

The fact that they have already rejected doing so betrays the blatant & indefensible nature of their rights abuses.

aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/2…

The abuses being committed by Iranian authorities are already being meticulously documented by Iranian civil society & human rights activists.

An example is this organization that has compiled reports on arrested protestors since September:

https://twitter.com/followupiran/status/1591066485321256961?s=20&t=XBeOw_oNv4lv8w4mxvCRiw

Many protestors have been released, but on heavy bail & after making other commitments. Many will also have future court hearings.

Many others, including journalists & students, are being held in unknown locations & in worsening prison conditions:
telegra.ph/11112022-11-11…

There needs to be accountability for these gross human rights abuses in Iran. The international community can be helpful in this regard & the @UN_HRC investigation is a significant step to achieving this.

The Iranian people deserve so much better. The bravery that has been on display in Iran over the past few months shows that their aspirations cannot be violently crushed. Their resilience in the face of so many pressures is inspiring.