UN office: Iranian forces were ‘shooting to kill’ protesters

Iranian security forces were “shooting to kill” in ir dely crackdown against protesters in recent weeks, according to credible video foot, U.N. human rights chief said Friday.

unrest left at least 208 people de nationwide, office of High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said, echoing a count also tallied by Amnesty International. Iran disputes death toll figures released by foreign organizations but has so far refused to any countrywide casualty or arrest figures.

Bachelet said foot received by her office appears to show demonstrators were gunned down while running away, or being shot “directly in face and vital organs.”

Such actions amounted to “serious violations of human rights,” Bachelet said. She urged Iran to allow independent investigations into violations, and release of all protesters who were unfairly stripped of ir liberty during crackdown.

“Verified video foot indicates severe violence was used against protesters, including armed members of security forces shooting from roof of a justice department building in one city, and from helicopters in ar,” Bachelet said.

“We have also received foot which appears to show security forces shooting unarmed demonstrators from behind while y were running away, and shooting ors directly in face and vital organs — in or words shooting to kill ,” she ded.

Bachelet’s office said it h received many reports of ill-treatment against people arrested, “including with apparent aim of extracting forced confessions.”

demonstrations began in mid-vember after government raised minimum gasoline prices. Cheap gasoline is practically considered a birthright in Iran, home to world’s fourth-largest crude oil reserves despite deces of ecomic woes. That disparity, especially given Iran’s oil wealth, fueled anger felt by demonstrators.

toll of at least 208 makes it bloodiest unrest in Iran since time of Islamic Revolution. 2009 Green Movement protests that followed a disputed presidential election drew millions to streets but saw far less killing.

demonstrations show widespre ecomic discontent gripping Iran since May 2018, when President Donald Trump imposed crushing sanctions after unilaterally withdrawing United States from nuclear deal that Tehran struck with world powers. That decision has seen Iran begin to break limits of deal, as well as a series of attacks across Mideast that America has blamed on Tehran.