Country: Iran
ICHR stands in solidarity with the people of Iran protesting against the unexpected increase in gasoline prices, and calls on the government of Iran to listen to the people’s request and put an end to all their crimes against the country and it’s citizens.
ICHR strongly condemns the direct firing, and use of excessive force on protesters against the increase in gasoline price, and the Iranian government must be held accountable for their crimes against the Iranian people.
Protests against the unexpected increase in gasoline prices in Iran have spread into the largest cities of the country.
“The Security forces all over the country are attack people to disperse protesters, with Baton, Tear gas, and open fire. So far 4 deaths and numerous Injuries Have been reported” Said; Reza Khandan in an exclusives interview with ICHR.
The Islamic Republic’s decision to rationing and up to a three-fold increase in the price of gasoline, almost immediately triggered a series of protests nationwide.
Fed up protesters in Ahvaz, the capital city of Khuzestan, as well as in Behbahan, Mahshad, Shiraz, zanjan, azarbaijan, tabriz, and Omidiyeh chanted slogans against President Hassan Rouhani and his administration.
Retaliating to Rouhani’s comment that the members of the lower classes of the society would benefit from the price increase, the protesters shouted, “Gasoline price increased, making the impoverished poorer.”
Meanwhile, the citizens of Ahvaz called upon each other to turn off the engines and stop buying gasoline.
Furthermore, the city of Gachsaran, in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province between Shiraz and Ahvaz, also was the scene of widespread protests.
Soon, the people of the city of Sirjan, in Iran’s largest province, Kerman, joined the protests and held rallies against the government decision to significantly increasing the price of gasoline. In one case, fed up citizens of a protest set fire to at least one gas station.
In Iran’s second-largest city, Mashhad, the capital city of the northwestern province of Khorasan Razavi, the theme of protest slogans was evidently more political and directly aimed at President Rouhani and other leaders of the Islamic Republic.
“Have shame Rouhani, Leave the country alone!” and “have shame dictator, Leave the country alone!” were the main slogans chanted by the protesters in Mashhad.
In late December 2017, Mashhad was the scene of an unprecedented anti-Islamic establishment protest that soon spread to more than one hundred cities across Iran.
The decision to increase the price of gasoline was taken by the heads of three powers of the government and announced by President Hassan Rouhani.
Earlier, Majles (Iranian parliament) had opposed the increase, arguing that it would lead to more pressure on the poor and to “uncontrollable” protests.
“The government of Iran must put the people’s well being before their decisions about people.
This regime came to be 40 years ago on promise to free oil, water and electricity, for Iranians, and Today, instead of making good on their promise, they have made poverty and suffering free for Iranians.” Said; Ardeshire Zarezadeh, Executive Director for Iran, and The Middle East at ICHR Canada.
ICHR stands in solidarity with the people of Iran protesting against the unexpected increase in gasoline prices, and calls on the government of Iran to listen to the people’s request and put an end to all their crimes against the country and it’s citizens.
ICHR also strongly condemns the direct firing, and excessive force on protesters against the increase in gasoline price, and the Iranian government must be held accountable for their crimes against the Iranian people.