By Meredith Lee-Clark
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – Human Rights Watch has called for the Iranian government to begin investigations into the deaths of as many as eight protesters, who were allegedly killed by police and pro-government militia.

Hundreds of thousands of supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi, a candidate in Iran’s presidential elections, gathered in Tehran on June 18.  The crowds continued their nearly week-long protests of the results of the June 12 presidential election, which Mousavi’s supporters contend was rigged and maintain that Mousavi was the real winner, rather than the incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  Mousavi also asked his supporters to march to commemorate the deaths of those killed in the protests this week, encouraging the supporters to wear black in mourning.

The crowds gathered in Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Square despite an order against such rallies, issued by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader.  The crowds marched silently until they reached the Square, when shouts of “God is Great” began, echoing calls heard by crowds during Iran’s 1979 revolution.

Authorities have arrested those perceived as dissidents, as well as shutting down access to many websites, including BBC Farsi, Facebook, and pro-Mousavi sites, in attempts to stifle the protests.  Foreign journalists have been banned from Tehran’s streets, and most are now reporting from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Though details remain hazy, Mousavi’s supporters report that those killed were students attacked in dormitories by pro-government militia.  As in recent days, during the protest on the 18th, police remained on the sidelines.  There have been reports, however, of police violence against protesters after dark.

Human Rights Watch called on the Iranian authorities to ensure that all security forces follow the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials in policing the demonstrations.  Mousavi has continually asked his supporters to remain non-violent.  The Guardian Council has ordered a recount of approximately 600 ballot boxes, but future government action remains unclear.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Iran’s Mousavi Addresses Protesters – 18 June 2009

Human Rights Watch – Iran:  Investigate Protester Deaths – 18 June 2009

NPR – Opposition Protesters Fill Streets of Iran’s Capital – 18 June 2009

New York Times – Protesters Gather Again, as Iran Panel Offers Talks – 18 June 2009

Associated Press – Iranian Protester Killed After Opposition Rally – 15 June 2009