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2019–2020 Iranian protests

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2019 Iranian protests
Part of 2018–2019 Iranian general strikes and protests
Protesters in Sadeghiyeh, Tehran demonstrating against the government and fuel prices, on 16 November.
Date15 November 2019 – ongoing
Location
Iran
Caused by
Goals
MethodsDemonstrations, riots, sit-ins, civil resistance, online activisms, arson
Parties
Protesters
Supported by:
Iranian dissident groups[citation needed]
Lead figures

Uncentralized

Number
Tens of thousands
Casualties and losses
Per Iranian government:
12 protesters killed[1]
Per Amnesty International:
115+ protesters killed
4,800+ arrested[2][3]
Per Iranian government:
3 security forces killed[1]

The 2019 Iranian protests were a series of civil protests occurring in multiple cities across Iran, initially from the 200% increase in fuel prices but later extended to an outcry against the current regime in Iran and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.[4][5] The protests commenced in the evening of 15 November and within hours spread to 21 cities as videos of the protest began to circulate online.[6][7][8] Images of the violent protests were shared on the internet with protests reaching international levels.[9]

The human rights organization Amnesty International reported that the government has used lethal force in cities across the country and that there have been at least 115 people killed by gunshots from the IRGC and other armed forces under direct orders from the supreme leader.[10] The Amnesty claim was rejected by the spokesman for Iran mission to UN Alireza Miryousefi.[11] The Iranian government confiscated the bodies of killed and injured protesters meaning there is no official figure of the total number killed. [12] [13] [14]

In order to block the sharing of information regarding the protests and the deaths of hundreds of protesters on social media platforms, the government blocked the Internet nationwide, resulting in a near-total internet blackout of around six days.[15][16]

Based on Amnesty International and Radio Farda's account, this series of protests could be the most violent and severe since the Iranian Revolution in 1979.[17]

Background

Sanctions by the United States and the European Union, coupled with economic mismanagement, have led to a severe economic crisis in Iran in the past few years.[18] Prior to the unrest, current President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani said, "Iran is experiencing one of its hardest years since the 1979 Islamic revolution".[7] Iranian allies in Lebanon and Iraq have also witnessed anti-government protests.[7]

At midnight on 15 November 2019, the Iranian government announced that they would increase the price on fuel.[7] Prior to the price increase, drivers could buy up to 250 litres (66 US gal) for 10,000 Iranian rial per litre (around $1.15 per US gallon), with the new prices being 15,000 rial per litre (around $1.70 per US gallon) for the first 60 litres (16 US gal) per month, and 30,000 per litre (around $3.40 per US gallon) after that, a price increase of 50% to 200%.[5] An Iranian state-television programme described the measures as a way to help fund the subsidies of around 60 million Iranians.[18]

History

After the government announced the price increase in the early hours of 15 November, Iranians in various cities took to the streets to protest.

One protester was reportedly killed in Sirjan after security forces opened fire. Other demonstrators in the city set fire to a gas station, and chanted "Rouhani, leave this country".[4] Protesters in Ahvaz demanded that people boycott fuel and stop their cars in the middle of the road as a sign of protest.[19]

In Mashhad, Iran's second largest city, demonstrators blocked traffic in the streets and highways.[18] Protesters gathered late into the night in Qods, a suburb of Tehran, and destroyed a police vehicle.[20]

Protests continued to expand for a second day on 16 November. Demonstrators gathered in over 50 cities and many major cities such as Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and Shiraz to protest the sudden price hike.[21] Security forces shot at protesters with live bullets in an effort to disperse them, killing at least ten protesters in Isfahan, Behbahan, Kermanshah, Karaj, and Shiraz.[22] Chants by demonstrators targeted the regime and its leaders with people chanting, "Shah of Iran, return to Iran!", "Clerics must get lost", "Death to the dictator", "Death to the Islamic Republic", "Our military brothers, why do you kill your brother?", "Bless your soul Reza Shah", "Not Gaza, not Lebanon, my life only for Iran", "Oil money has been lost, it has all been spent on Palestine", "They have brought up Islam, but trampled the people".[23]

Several banks in Eslamshahr, Behbahan, and Tehran, and one religious school in Isfahan were burned down by protesters.[22] In Shahriar demonstrators burned down a monument depicting the ring of the Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic.[24]

On 16 November, internet access across the country was reported to be in a near-total shutdown, with online activity estimated to be 7% of ordinary levels.[25][26]

State news agencies reported that over 1,000 people had been arrested so far and that the protests had spread to over 100 cities in Iran.[22]

Shop owners in Tehran and Isfahan closed the bazaars and went on strike in protest. While in Tabriz, students from the University of Tabriz left their classes and demonstrated at the university.[27][28]

Students at the University of Tehran gathered for a second consecutive day to protest the current situation in the country and chanted "Death to the dictator", and "Not Gaza, not Lebanon, my life only for Iran".[29] Protests continued in the Sadeghiyeh neighbourhood of Tehran, and the bazaar was packed with security forces attempting to prevent bazaar merchants from going on strike.[30] Citizens of Tehran reported that despite the internet shutdown, the protests gathered in intensity on Tuesday.[30]

Heavy clashes were also reported in Shiraz, where the security forces fired directly at people.[30] Authorities reported that nine Islamic seminaries and Friday prayer offices were burned by protesters across the country.[31] Protests continued for a fifth consecutive day on 19 November despite a heavy security presence the country. Gatherings were reported in Tehran, Karaj, Shiraz and Isfahan.[32] The city of Shush in Khuzestan province, was effectively closed down as Haft Tappeh workers protested the current conditions.[33]

Revolution Guards in Iran took the bodies of the dead protesters and the injured in hospitals, in order to hide to hide the true death count and give the uprising a lower profile. In some cases, government officials sold the bodies of the protesters. [34] [35] [36]

Internet shutdown

On the eve of the protests, Iranian authorities started disrupting internet connections and social media. The internet was effectively blocked following Iran’s Supreme National Security Council decision to shut it down for 24 hours.[37][38][39]

As per NetBlocks, users first reported outages in Mashhad on 15 November. The disruptions increased in extent and severity with impact also visible on overall connectivity charts. Iran’s largest mobile network operators, including MCI, Rightel and IranCell, fell offline on the evening of 16 November 2019. By 20 November, national connectivity was at 5% of ordinary levels, making it difficult to monitor human rights violations and cover incidents on the ground.[40]

The government has also jammed satellite TV connections and sent anonymous messages to people near protest sites reading: “We know you are here.”[41]

On 21 November 2019, a small return of connectivity was tracked by NetBlocks, along with reports that some users had come online; national connectivity was up to 8%.[42]

Tactics and methods

November 2019 demonstrations Isfahan

Protesters began by organizing rallies in protest of the Iran's government resulting in police gunfire. As protests were met with government crackdowns, protesters began to block streets and highways. The protests intensified with Iranians burning pictures and banners of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei and burning government banks. Many protest chants and slogans were directed at expressing discontent with the Iranian government's spending on conflicts in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. Other chants praised the late Shah of Iran calling for his return.[43]

Deaths and Casualties

See also: Casualty recording

A man in Sirjan was killed and several others were injured after security forces opened fire on protesters on 15 November.[44][45] The following day, ten protesters were killed during demonstrations.[22]

The BBC has reported that there is a huge variance in the number of people killed. Unofficial reports from various sources say that from 15 to 19 November, about 200 people were killed and 3,000 injured. UN Human Rights say "dozens of people may have been killed" while Amnesty International places the number at "at least 106". Iranian authorities say "only a few people have been killed".[46]

As of 19 November, Amnesty International has claimed that around 16 people were killed in Kermanshah, 14 each in Bandar-e Mahshahr and in Javanroud, 9 in Mariwan, 8 in Behbahan, 6 each in Ramhormoz, Sadra and in Shiraz, 4 each in Boukan, Karaj and in Robatkarim, 3 in Khorramshahr, 2 each in Abadan, Ahvaz and in Bumahen, and 1 each in Tehran, Isfahan, Eslamshahr, Sanandaj, Shahriyar and in Sirjan.[47][48]

Impacts

The savings from the fuel price rises are planned to be distributed to 18 million poor families, representing 75% of Iran’s population.[41][7] However, with inflation already at 40% and a plummeting currency, according to The Economist, "the inflationary effects of the price rise risk wiping out most of the benefit."[7] This inflationary threat has been acknowledged by Khamenei.[7]

Aftermath

Starting from 19 November 2019, thousands of people in cities across Iran participated in separate pro-government rallies in condemnation of the "riots" and showed support for Iran supreme leader.[49] On 20 November 2019, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani declared victory against "enemy". Iran started gradually restoring internet connection the following day.[50][51]

Reactions

National

At the beginning of Dars-e Kharej on 17 November, he remarked that he was not an expert in this regard, but this policy had been adopted by the heads of the country, based on expert opinion. Therefore, this decision should be acted on. He said that in any case, some people had become displeased, but setting fire to such and such a bank was not the action of the people; rather it was the action of thugs. Such actions were not carried out by ordinary people, Khamenei claimed. "Of course, officials should also pay attention and decrease the problems associated as much as they can."[52][53] Khamenei also blamed the protests on “all of the centres of villainy around the world that oppose us.”[7]
Also at a meeting with producers, economic activists and entrepreneurs on 19 November he stated:
"Both friends and foes should know that we have repelled the enemy in the war in military, political and security issues. The recent actions were security issues, not from the people. We have repelled the enemy in various areas, and by God's grace, we will also definitely repel the enemy in the economic war."[54][55][56]
  • Parvaneh Salahshouri, a member of parliament, stated that the decision to increase the price of fuel was not made by the Majles and had been made by the heads of the three branches. Salahshouri stated, "It has been a while now that parliament is not involved in the decision-making process." She continued and, referring to the parliament, said, "The last semblance of a democracy we had is no more. Shut down the next parliament, it is an act of economic resistance".[57]
  • Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Alavi Gorgani asked the government to "change their decision to increase fuel prices before it is too late".[22]

International

Others

  • Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince of Iran, tweeted that the Islamic Republic had brought only poverty and suffering to the Iranian people. He also said that the only thing offered for free by the Islamic Republic was oil to its allies in the region, a reference to Syria's president Bashar Assad.[61]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "At Least Six Dead In Iranian Protests, Tensions Still High". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty.
  2. ^ "عفو بین‌الملل: دست‌کم ۱۱۵ نفر در اعتراض‌های ایران کشته شده‌اند". رادیو فردا.
  3. ^ "Iran detains '100 leaders' of petrol hike protests". 22 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  4. ^ a b "گسترش اعتراض‌ها به افزایش قیمت بنزین: یک معترض در سیرجان با شلیک ماموران کشته شد". Iran International (in Persian). 15 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Protests erupt over Iran petrol rationing". 16 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  6. ^ "Amnesty International: Over 100 Killed in 21 Cities in Iran Protests". Haaretz.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "Hikes in the cost of petrol are fuelling unrest in Iran". The Economist. 17 November 2019.
  8. ^ "افزایش قیمت بنزین؛ شهرهای مختلف ایران صحنه اعتراضات شد". رادیو فردا.
  9. ^ Fassihi, Farnaz (19 November 2019). "Iran's 'Iron Fist': Rights Group Says More Than 100 Protesters Are Dead". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  10. ^ https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/11/iran-more-than-100-protesters-believed-to-be-killed-as-top-officials-give-green-light-to-crush-protests/
  11. ^ "Iran rejected the unofficially reported death tolls of the recent upheavals". Hamshahri (in Persian). 22 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  12. ^ Iranian officials 'stealing bodies' from morgues to hide true scale of government crackdown
  13. ^ Mysterious Disappearances: Is Iran Stealing Bodies From Morgues to Disguise Crackdown on Protesters?
  14. ^ McKay, Hollie. "Brutal crackdown of Iran protesters points to increasing divide, leadership losing grip: 'The regime is afraid'".
  15. ^ https://netblocks.org/reports/internet-disrupted-in-iran-amid-fuel-protests-in-multiple-cities-pA25L18b
  16. ^ NetBlocks.org (23 November 2019). "Confirmed: Internet access is being restored in #Iran after a weeklong internet shutdown amid widespread protests; real-time network data show national connectivity now up to 64% of normal levels as of shutdown hour 163 #IranProtests #Internet4Iran https://netblocks.org/reports/internet-restored-in-iran-after-protest-shutdown-dAmqddA9 …pic.twitter.com/eimWEIEmrI". @netblocks. Retrieved 24 November 2019. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help); no-break space character in |title= at position 337 (help)
  17. ^ "Iranian security forces are using lethal force to crush protests". www.amnesty.org. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  18. ^ a b c Fassihi, Farnaz; Gladstone, Rick (15 November 2019). "Iran Abruptly Raises Fuel Prices, and Protests Erupt". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  19. ^ "افزایش قیمت بنزین؛ شهرهای مختلف ایران صحنه اعتراضات شد". رادیو فردا (in Persian). Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  20. ^ "اعتراضات به گرانی بنزین در ایران به خشونت کشیده شد؛ معترضان خیابان‌ها را در شهرهای مختلف مسدود کردند". صدای آمریکا.
  21. ^ "ادامه اعتراض‌‌ها به افزایش قیمت بنزین". رادیو فردا (in Persian). Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  22. ^ a b c d e "سومین روز اعتراضات در ایران؛ بیش از هزار نفر بازداشت شده‌اند". رادیو فردا.
  23. ^ "گسترش اعتراض‌ها در شهرهای ایران؛ کشته‌شدن بیش از ۱۰ معترض". ایران اینترنشنال. 16 November 2019.
  24. ^ "لحظه به لحظه با تحولات گران شدن بنزین؛ آنچه گذشت - BBC Persian". BBC News فارسی.
  25. ^ "اختلال گسترده در دسترسی به اینترنت درپی اعتراض‌‌ها به افزایش قیمت بنزین در ایران". ایران اینترنشنال. 16 November 2019.
  26. ^ "Iran in 'near-total national internet shutdown' amid ongoing protests". english.alarabiya.net. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  27. ^ "افزایش شمار قربانیان در سومین روز اعتراض‌ها: تعداد کشته‌ها به ده‌ها نفر رسید". ایران اینترنشنال. 17 November 2019.
  28. ^ "لحظه به لحظه با تحولات گران شدن بنزین - BBC Persian". BBC News فارسی.
  29. ^ "استاندار تهران از بروز اعتراضات در بیش از ۷۰ درصد استان‌های ایران خبر داد". رادیو فردا.
  30. ^ a b c "پیام‌های مردمی به ایران اینترنشنال: از جو امنیتی تا شلیک مستقیم به معترضان". ایران اینترنشنال. 18 November 2019.
  31. ^ "حمله به دستکم ۹ حوزه علمیه و دفتر امام جمعه در جریان اعتراضات به افزایش قیمت بنزین". رادیو فردا (in Persian). 18 November 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  34. ^ Iranian officials 'stealing bodies' from morgues to hide true scale of government crackdown
  35. ^ Mysterious Disappearances: Is Iran Stealing Bodies From Morgues to Disguise Crackdown on Protesters?
  36. ^ McKay, Hollie. "Brutal crackdown of Iran protesters points to increasing divide, leadership losing grip: 'The regime is afraid'".
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  38. ^ CNN, Tamara Qiblawi. "Iran's 'largest internet shutdown ever' is happening now. Here's what you need to know". CNN. Retrieved 19 November 2019. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  39. ^ "The uprising in Iran: 'These people have nothing to lose. They're fearless now.' – Macleans.ca". www.macleans.ca. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  40. ^ "Internet disrupted in Iran amid fuel protests in multiple cities". NetBlocks. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  41. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference “veconomist2” was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  42. ^ "Internet disrupted in Iran amid fuel protests in multiple cities". NetBlocks. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
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  48. ^ "At least 106 protesters in 21 cities have been killed, according to credible reports received by Amnesty International. The organization believes that the real death toll may be much higher, with some reports suggesting as many as 200 have been killed". Amnesty International.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  49. ^ "From north to south of Iran against the "rioters"". Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  50. ^ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50486646
  51. ^ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/iran-loosens-internet-restrictions-protest-shutdown-191121195539005.html
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  54. ^ "Friends and foes should know that in the recent security issues we have repelled the enemy". Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  55. ^ "Friends, foes should know enemy repelled by Iran". Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  56. ^ "Iran Successfully Tackles Security Issues, Will 'Repel Enemy in Economic War". Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  57. ^ "خیلی وقت است که مجلس در رأس امور نیست/ مجلس بعدی را تعطیل کنید". خبرگزاری ایلنا.
  58. ^ Foundation, Thomson Reuters. "Iran's protests against gasoline price hike turn political – media". news.trust.org. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  59. ^ Sanders, Bernie. "All people have the right to protest for a better future. I call on the Iranian government to end the internet blackout and stop violence against demonstrators". Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  60. ^ "US sanctions Iran's information minister over internet blackout". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  61. ^ "Iran's Exiled Prince Calls For Overthrow Of Regime Amid Protests". RFE/RL.

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