"Amnesty International Report: From the Killing and Torture of Protesters to the Suppression of Minorities in Iran"

The human rights organization referred to the protests following the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, stating that "an unprecedented popular uprising since September shook Iran, with people demanding an end to the Islamic Republic."

The report indicates widespread and systematic torture, including prolonged solitary confinement and deliberate denial of medical care.

Amnesty International added that "forced confessions," obtained under torture, were broadcast on state television.

The report also addresses the ongoing discrimination and widespread repression by the government against Iranian women, noting that "women and girls have been at the forefront of the popular uprising, challenging decades of gender-based discrimination and violent, degrading laws, including the mandatory hijab."

Amnesty International also highlights multiple instances of continued discrimination and repression against religious and ethnic minorities, as well as gender-based discrimination.

The organization notes that discrimination against religious minorities, including Baha'is, Dervishes, Christians, Sunnis, Jews, and followers of the Yarsan faith, continues.

The report mentions that "authorities have raided house churches, and new Christians face arbitrary arrests and confiscation of personal property." They are accused of "acts against national security" and subjected to punishments such as "imprisonment, fines, and internal exile."

According to the annual report by the organization "Article 18" and three global Christian organizations, the repression of Christians, especially new converts, due to their religious beliefs and peaceful activities, has intensified.

The report states that the number of Christians arrested in 2022 doubled compared to the previous year, rising from 59 to 134. By the end of 2022, at least 17 Christians were imprisoned on charges such as "acts against national security" and "propaganda against the system."

The organization added that converting from Islam to another religion could lead to accusations of apostasy.

According to the report by the four Christian organizations, at least five new converts arrested during the protests faced charges of "apostasy" due to their Christian beliefs.

Previously, a legal expert had stated that due to international pressure, the crime of apostasy had been removed from the Islamic Penal Code. Nevertheless, under Article 167 of the Iranian Constitution, there is still a possibility of issuing death sentences based on this principle. Article 167 grants judges the authority to refer to reliable Islamic sources or fatwas if there is a legal gap.

The organization also reported continued widespread repression against Baha'is in the past year, including arbitrary arrests and confiscation of property. The report mentions the demolition of six Baha'i homes in a village in Mazandaran and the seizure of over 20 hectares of Baha'i land.

The seizure of property belonging to religious and ethnic minorities began in the early days of the revolution and continues to this day. Recently, it was reported that the historic building of the Congregation Rabani Church in Gorgan, which had been seized by the government, was put up for sale.

Amnesty International has also reported on the repression and discrimination against ethnic groups in Iran, noting that "more than half of the casualties from the national uprising were from the Baloch minority in Sistan and Baluchestan province and the Kurdish minority in the provinces of Kurdistan, Kermanshah, and West Azerbaijan." The organization reported targeting and killing Kurdish border carriers and Baloch fuel carriers, as well as the lack of accountability from Iranian authorities.

Previously, the organization had reported on the brutal torture of detained children during the protests, including electric shocks and sexual violence.