Tens of thousands of Iranians rallied in some 100 cities and towns across oil-rich Iran in November 2019 after the authorities announced a sudden hike in the price of gasoline.
The decision, announced early on November 15, was part of efforts to blunt the effects of U.S. sanctions on the country’s economy.
The move saw the rollout of a rationing scheme and the slashing of subsidies, and sent prices rocketing by as much as 200 percent.
Many Iranians already grappling with rising inflation were quick to rally against the measures.
The protests soon turned political, with some chanting slogans against Iran's leaders and calling for the downfall of the Islamic Republic.
Protesters blocked traffic, set banks, gas stations, and police cars on fire and clashed with security forces during five days of violence.
A protester writes “death to…” on a wall. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused counterrevolutionaries and foreign enemies of fueling the unrest.
The wave of protests was met with a heavy-handed crackdown by security forces while the authorities implemented a near total Internet shutdown.
Amnesty International published the details of 321 men, women and children as having been killed by Iran’s security forces during their clampdown. The group was able to examine evidence of security forces firing live ammunition, often at the head or torso – indicating an intent to kill.
At least 7,000 people were reportedly arrested during the demonstrations. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) received “numerous reports of ill-treatment against the detainees, including forced confessions.”
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