Iran's authorities up intimidation of victims' families amid nearing protest anniversary

As the first anniversary of the Iran-wide government protests, which erupted in September 2022, approaches, the Iranian government is increasing pressure on victims’ families that demand justice and truth.

The Iranian publication IranWire, based in exile, reports on several families being subjected to arrests and being summoned by law enforcement, as stated by those on social media platforms.

"Between us, who carry the lifeless bodies of our loved ones on our shoulders, and you and your prisons, whips and threats, there is only one sentence left: We swear by the blood of our comrades that we will stand until the end”, one such statement by an affected family said.

The fears over a possible ignition of the massive protests on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, which sparked the month-long lasting civil crisis in Iran, have led to escalating pressure on civil and political activists as part of efforts to intimidate and silence those who might speak out against the government.

Amnesty International is calling the treatment by the authorities of the families of the protest victims a "campaign of intimidation".

According to the organization, 36 victims’ families from 10 provinces across the country have been subjected to human rights violations in recent months.