Sharjah 24 – AFP: The Oslo-based non-government group Iran Human Rights said at least 31 civilians had been killed in Iran's crackdown during six nights of violence against protesters in over 30 towns and cities.
The popular unrest has flared across Iran over the death in custody of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini.
Amini, 22, died last week after her arrest by the Islamic republic's feared morality police for allegedly wearing a hijab headscarf in an "improper" way, and news of her death sparked widespread outrage.
Iranians have rallied "to achieve their fundamental rights and human dignity... and the government is responding to their peaceful protest with bullets," charged the group's director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam.
Security forces have fired at crowds with birdshot and metal pellets, and also deployed tear gas and water cannon, said Amnesty International and other human rights groups.
The US Treasury placed the morality police on its sanctions blacklist on Thursday, holding it responsible for Amini's death and citing the "abuse and violence against Iranian women and the violation of the rights of peaceful Iranian protestors".
There were fears violence could escalate further after Iran restricted internet access and blocked messaging apps including WhatsApp and Instagram, as they have done during past crackdowns.
The two apps were the most widely used in Iran after the blocking of other platforms in recent years, including Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, YouTube and TikTok.
"People in Iran are being cut off from online apps and services," Instagram chief Adam Mosseri tweeted, adding that "we hope their right to be online will be reinstated quickly".
Activists have said that Amini, whose Kurdish first name is Jhina, suffered a fatal blow to the head after her arrest in Tehran -- a claim denied by officials, who have announced an investigation.
For an optimal experience, please
