Three children dead in Iran protests as security forces accused of indiscriminate targeting'

"At least three children are reported to have been killed and more than 40 minors arrested after eight days of the ongoing protests across Iran, as human rights groups accuse the regime's security forces of indiscriminate targeting of civilians. The nationwide uprising sparked by the collapse of the country's currency and rising living costs has spread to at least 78 cities and 222 locations, with demonstrators calling for the end of the regime. The protests continued over the weekend despite a worsening crackdown by security forces after comments from the country's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who addressed protesters as rioters."

"So far, 990 people have been arrested and at least 20 killed, according to HRAI. Among the minors reportedly killed was Mostafa Falahi, a 15-year-old from the city of Azna, in central Iran. The Oslo-based Hengaw Organization for Human Rights said Falahi had been killed when security forces opened fire on protesters on 1 January. The group also reported the death of another minor, 17-year-old Rasul Kadivarian, who was killed along with his 20-year-old brother, Reza, on 3 January when security forces fired directly on protesters in the city of Kermanshah."

"Skylar Thompson, deputy director of HRAI, told the Guardian the group had documented the killings, as well as the arrests of at least 44 children. These numbers provide clear evidence that youth are present throughout the ongoing protests. The indiscriminate targeting of a civilian population must be widely condemned as a violation of international law, especially with the clear illustration of children present, Thompson said."

At least three children have been killed and more than 40 minors arrested after eight days of nationwide protests in Iran, with human rights groups accusing security forces of indiscriminate targeting of civilians. The uprising, driven by a collapsing currency and rising living costs, has spread to at least 78 cities and 222 locations, with demonstrators calling for the end of the regime. HRAI reports about 990 arrests and at least 20 deaths so far. Human rights organizations reported specific child fatalities, including 15-year-old Mostafa Falahi and 17-year-old Rasul Kadivarian, killed when security forces opened fire. HRAI documented arrests of at least 44 children and called the targeting of civilians a violation of international law.

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