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Eye injuries during 2022 Iranian protests

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Conservative estimates reported by ophthalmologists in November 2022 stated there had been 580 confirmed cases of significant eye injuries during the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom protests triggered by the dead-in-custody of Mahsa "Jina" Amini.[1] The actual number of injuries is likely much higher.[1][2][3][4] The widespread nature of the eye injuries across the country and the number of cases reported demonstrates a systematic nature to these attacks.[5]

Use of kinetic-impact-projectiles[edit]

X-ray of an Iranian protestor who suffered eye damage after being shot in the face with a non-lethal stinger round in 2009

Kinetic-impact-projectiles (KIPs) also known as baton rounds, or rubber/plastic bullets are non-lethal projectiles used for crowd control purposes by riot police.[6][7][8] KIPs are marketed as non or less-lethal weapons used for the purposes of dispersing crowds without causing penetrating wounds.[6] However, when used inappropriately and fired indiscriminately, they have been known to cause injuries leading to life-long disability, or even death.[6][7][9] Examples of KIPs include rubber or plastic bullets, bean bag rounds, sponge rounds (rounds with a softer nose/tip to limit impact) or pellet rounds of birdshot or buckshot.[6][7] Abolfazl Adinezadeh, a 17 year old boy that had joined the Woman, Life, Freedom protests is one of many examples of protesters in Iran who have been killed as a result of close range discharge of KIPs.[9][10] Cases have also been reported in which protesters have either been killed, or lost an eye as a result of being hit directly by tear gas canisters.[7][11][12][13] Abolfazl Amirataie, a 16 year old boy who had joined protests on 22 September 2022 was shot directly in the head at close range with a tear gas canister, causing catastrophic damage to one side of his skull and brain.[14] After 8 months in a vegetative state, Amirataie succumbed to his injuries on 27 May 2023.[14]

Amnesty International conducted a review of the abuse of KIPs and found examples across 30 different countries of undue injury suffered by protesters at the hands of riot police.[7] Eye injuries in the Chilean protests were so widespread that at the time it was estimated by the Chilean Ophthalmology Society that it was the highest number of cases registered globally.

The AAO has called for the end of the use of KIPs against protesters, as have the Physicians for Human Rights as well as Amnesty International.[1][6][7]

Historical use of KPIs against protesters in Iran[edit]

The 2022 protests were not the first time eye injuries were reported inside of Iran. Other protesters, such as, Koroush Kiya (21 years old at the time) had attended the 2017-2018 Iranian Protests in Karaj where he was shot directly in the face, resulting in his right eye causing irreparable damage in August of 2018 with a paintball gun while attending. [15] The next year, Matin Hassani was shot at with a pellet gun when attending a protest in Bukan in November of 2019. He sustained permanent damage to his left eye.[16] Later, doctors from Isfahan in the aftermath of protests in November of 2021 reported 40 admissions of eye injuries in one day of police crackdown against peaceful protesters.[17] The true number of eye injuries across protests is unknown.

Crime against humanity[edit]

Article 7 of the Rome Statute under which the International Criminal Court is established defines crimes against humanity.[18] The definition includes:

"Other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health." - Article 7 the Rome Statute, Part 2 (1)(k).[18] "Attack directed against any civilian population" means a course of conduct involving the multiple commission of acts referred to in paragraph 1 against any civilian population, pursuant to or in furtherance of a State or organizational policy to commit such attack;" - Article 7 the Rome Statute, Part 2 (1)(a).[18]

Norway based non-government organisation Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) confirmed 138 specific cases of eye injuries across different cities in Iran to highlight the systematic nature of the injuries against unarmed protesters.[5][19] First hand accounts of lasers on the faces of protesters prior to being shot further emphasise the purposeful intent of injury to the eyes.[20][21] While those injured in Chile and the United States have had some (albeit limited and scattered) success in taking their cases to court, those in Iran have been unable to build cases without threat and retaliation.[22][23][24][25] Families of murdered protesters who have made attempts to seek justice via the court system inside of Iran have been repeatedly threatened or detained in retaliation for their efforts.[26][27] In July of 2023, sister of murdered protester Milad Saeedianjoo, Zahra Saeedianjoo was apprehended and detained for a second time in four months.[28][29] Earlier in the year Zahra has also been fired from her job in relation to her activities seeking justice for her brother.[30] It is therefore virtually impossible to pursue justice internally in Iran.[31]

"Injured protesters, in particular those who have lost their vision due to their serious eye injuries, explained that they feared their injuries visibly marked them as dissidents and could be used as proof of  their participation in the protests. A protester who was blinded in one eye stated that his lodging an official compliant would be tantamount to signing an order for his own conviction. In many cases, injured protesters who spoke up about their injuries or demanded justice, including through social media posting, were harassed by the authorities, including by being summoned, and arrested.. In some cases, victims who spoke up about their injuries were prosecuted on charges such as “propaganda against the system” and convicted. A protester who was blinded and published their story on social media were arrested and requested to re-repost stating that, in reality, they were injured by members of terrorist organizations." Detailed findings, UN Independent Fact Finding Mission on Iran (A/HRC/55/CRP.1), page 170, paragraph 163.[32]

The Islamic Republic judicial system applies Qisas, or retaliation/retribution law. Mehdi Mousavian arrested 31 December 2017 in relation to protests was accused and convicted of throwing stones which blinded a policeman in one eye.[33][34] The Judiciary sentenced Mousavian to Qisas, meaning his sentence would include the removal of his eye if he did not pay a fine of 14 billion toman (~$280,000 USD).[33][35] If this sentence is executed, it may set a precedent for the pursuit of legal action for those who have suffered eye injuries.[33]

Iran is not a State Party to the Rome Statute and this creates a legal challenge in the pursuit of justice for the people of Iran, however, human rights lawyers are actively pursuing mechanisms for justice.[36][37][38] On 24 November 2022 the United Nations Human Right Council adopted a resolution for the establishment of an independent international Fact-Finding-Mission (FFM) on the Deteriorating situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially with respect to women and children.[38] On 18 March 2024 the FFM reported on its findings to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner For Human Rights (OHCHR) at the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly[39]. In their report, based on information submitted to them, the FFM concluded that the State of Iran had violated human rights and committed acts amounting to crimes against humanity in their response to 2022 "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests.[40]

The FFM asserted in its findings:

" The mission also investigated the use of weapons and ammunition in less lethal ways. According to reports by the High Council for Human Rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran, protesters caused widespread damage to private property and public and religious places. The mission corroborated some allegations of material destruction, but found that even the use of so-called less lethal force, such as tear gas or water cannons, was disproportionate because of their indiscriminate impact on protesters, especially those protesting peacefully. Moreover, while kinetic impact projectiles, such as rubber bullets, are categorized as less lethal, ammunition firing multiple rubber bullets in one shot risked and resulted in eye injuries and the blinding of protesters and bystanders." - FFM report to OHCHR at fifty-fifth General Assembly (A/HRC/55/67), page 5, paragraph 27.[40]

"The mission established a pattern of ocular injuries of protesters and bystanders, including women and children, resulting in the partial or full loss of their eyesight, impacting their physical and mental health and, with regard to children, their education. A witness, who lost the sight in one eye, recalled a member of the security forces directing a paintball gun loaded with rubber bullets to the head from 1 m away. The mission notes the deterrent and chilling effect of such injuries, as they permanently marked the victims, essentially “branding” them as protesters. In a context where protests are effectively criminalized, the mission is satisfied that such an effect was intended." - FFM report to OHCHR at fifty-fifth General Assembly (A/HRC/55/67), page 5, paragraph 29.[40]

"In addition to causing severe physical pain and mental suffering and devastation, the Mission notes the deterrent and chilling effect that injuries, in particular blindings, have on protesters. The Mission is satisfied that such effect was intended. A woman protester, who lost her sight in one eye, described the use of force by the security forces as a deliberate act of intimidation of protesters. She noted that injuries sustained by protesters not only impacted them but also affected their families and the people around them. “An injured protester means one less person on the streets”, she said. Another woman protester described how the use of force was aimed at intimidating, saying “it is to create fear in society. You get shot and you scream, and people get the message.” - Detailed findings, FFM (A/HRC/55/CRP.1), page 136, paragraph 489. [32]

"The Mission established that protesters and bystanders, including children who were shot at, including with pellets and rubber bullets, sustained debilitating, severe and painful injuries during protests, which led to disabilities such as blindness. An expert opinion on the physical impact of ammunition such as birdshot and less-lethal weapons commissioned by the Mission highlighted irreversible injures and disabilities that could result from their use. In relation to kinetic impact projectiles specifically, the report highlighted bruising and lacerations of the skin, contusions and fractures of bone and muscle, internal bleeding, liver, heart, and kidney penetration, which could lead to organ failure or death, and neurovascular injuries. Injuries to the head could lead to haemorrhagic strokes and permanent disability while ocular injuries can result to permanent vision loss, given the large size of the projectile against the fragile bony structure and supple eye tissues. The report further stated that metal pellets, which are typically hunting rounds, are “indisputably lethal at close range” and have the ballistic capacity to penetrate some organs, including the eyes causing blindness." Detailed findings, FFM (A/HRC/55/CRP.1), page 155, paragraph 559.[32]

Publicised Fatalities[edit]

As with the number of people who suffered eye injuries as a result of KIPs, the true number of those who succumbed to their injuries, or passed away since their injury may never been known. Reports have highlighted few cases where families have shared the stories of their loved ones.

Mohammad Hossein Erfan[edit]

Mohammad Hossein Erfan (Persian: محمد حسین عرفان), 24 years old at the time of injury had been shot in Karaj when attending November 2019 protests.[41] He had been shot in the face by a pellet gun, resulting in complete blindness in his left eye, and only 30 percent vision in his left.[41] Despite his injuries from 2019 and their continued impacts, witnesses state that Erfan attended the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom protests and had even provided comfort and direction to those who had been injured on the streets at the time.

Erfan passed away unexpectedly late February, 2024 after being admitted to hospital reportedly with high blood sugar levels.[41] Erfan was 28 years old at the time of death.

Sepehr Azami[edit]

Sepehr Azami (Persian: سپهر اعظمی), was 23 years old at the time of injury. Azami was attending protests in Karaj on 3 November 2022 (40th day ceremony commemorating the death of young protester Hadis Najafi) when he was shot multiple times by pellet guns. More than 80 pellets were discovered inside of his body, causing catastrophic damage, including to one of his eyes. Azami was in a comatose state in hospital for 33 days before succumbing to his injuries in 6 December 2022.[42]

Mohammad Hassanzadeh[edit]

Mohammad Hassanzadeh (Persian: محمد حسنزاده), 28 at the time of injury, Hassanzadeh joined protests early on in his hometown of Bukan. On one occasion when he went to protest he was shot at with apaintball gun, he continued to go to the streets, the next time he was shot with a pellet gun and a pellet planted into his left eye causing major damage. Hassanzadeh was forced to travel to Tehran for treatment after being turned away from multiple hospitals in his hometown and in the city of Tabriz. After his return to Bukan, Hassanzadeh continued to attend protests, until on 16 November 2022 when he was fatally wounded.[43][44]

Seyed Javad Mousavi[edit]

Seyed Javad Mousavi (Persian: سید جواد موسوی), a father, was 39 years old when he was shot directly in the face, causing damage to both eyes.[45] On 17 November 2022 Mousavi had been attending a protest in Isfahan when he was injured. After being shot he was separated from his group and witnesses say he was taken by security agents. His lifeless body was later found with a makeshift bandage covering both hiseyes. He left behind a wife and two young children.[46]

Case Studies[edit]

A special report by citizen journalism news site IranWire highlighted multiple case studies of people who had suffered eye injuries.[47] The list released by IHRNGO confirms the accounts by IranWire reports.[48][49]

Trauma to both eyes[edit]

Parsa Ghobadi[edit]

Parsa Ghobadi (Parsa Qobadi, Persian: پارسا قبادی), was 18 years old at the time of injury.[48] Ghobadi was attending a protest in his hometown of Kermanshah on 21 November 2022 when he was shot by a pellet gun causing damage to both eyes.[50] Ghobadi was detained after being attacked and access to medical treatment was denied. Ghobadi has spoken publicly about the torture he had been exposed to while in detention.[51] Since the incident, Ghobadi and his family have been under immense pressure and Ghobadi, despite his vulnerable condition has been detained multiple times.[52] Ghobadi was able to regain 40% of vision in his right eye after multiple operations.[53]

Matin Mannani[edit]

Matin Mannani (Seyed Matin Manani, Persian: متین منانی), a university student, was 25 years old at the time of injury.[48] Mannani had been attending a protest in Sari on 20 September 2022 when he was shot multiple times with a pellet gun resulting in irreparable damage to both eyes and rendering him completely blind.[54]

Hossein Naderbeigi[edit]

Hossein Naderbeigi (Hossein Naderbigi, Persian: حسین نادربیگی) a laborer, was 22 years old at the time of injury. [48][50] Naderbeigi was not actively attending a protest when he was shot. [50] On 3 November 2022 in his hometown of Karaj he was passing by where a protest was taking place as it was the 40th day commemoration ceremony after the death of young protester Hadis Najafi.[55] Naderbeigi, unsure of why there were so many people gathered, got caught in the busy crowd and a motorcycle mounted Basiji agent repeatedly fired at him with a pellet gun, including directly in his face.[56] Naderbeigi sustained significant and irreparable damage to both eyes resulting in permanent blindness.[57]

Mohammad Parsa Sehat[edit]

Mohammad Parsa Sehat (Persian: محمد پارسا صحت), a barber, was 22 years old at the time of injury.[48] Sehat is one of the first recorded cases of eye injury, he was shot with a pellet gun near the salon where he worked in the birthplace of Mahsa "Jina" Amini just a day after her death, in Saqqez on 17 September 2022.[58] Sehat sustained significant damage to both eyes, with one eye having no usable vision, and the other being able to see up to a distance of two meters.[48][59]

Ali Tahoune[edit]

Ali Tahoune (Ali Tahouneh, Persian: علی طاحونه), a mechanic, was 34 years old at the time of injury. [48] Tahoune was attending a protest in Karaj on 22 September 2022 when he was shot directly in the face by a pellet gun after seeing a green laser pointed at his face.[50][21] Tahoune sustained damage to both eyes, after multiple operations can see enough out of his left eye to be able to use his phone and get around somewhat independently.[21]

Others injured in both eyes
Name Age* Date City / Province Weapon**
Hamid Parsa Unknown 21 September 2022 Tehran Pellet Gun
Iman 34 Late October 2022 Lorestan Pellet Gun
Soheil 29 15 November 2022 Shiraz Pellet Gun
Karu Feizi 20 15 November 2022 Bukan Pellet Gun
Firouz Mirani 29 29 November 2022 Paveh Pellet Gun
Mohammad Safiari Unknown 19 November 2022 Tehran Pellet Gun
Farideh Salavatipour ~40 16 November 2022 Sanandaj Pellet Gun
Zaniyar Tondro 17 27 October 2022 Piranshahr Pellet Gun
*Age at the time of injury

**Information from IHRNGO Report Iran Protests 2022: Women protesters eyes intentionally and systematically targeted.[48]

Responses[edit]

Government response[edit]

In the height of the protests where majority of injuries took place, the Islamic Republic's response included deploying ambulances to transport injured protesters directly to detention facilities, refusing access to treatment, threatening and arresting medical staff for providing aid to injured protesters, and had posted guards at entrances of hospitals to note the names of anyone coming in with injuries sustained at protests.[60][61][62][63][64] Many were forced to resort to home remedies until it was safe to seek treatment, and when they were able to access a hospital, they were unable to state the true cause of their injury for fear of being turned away or turned in to authorities.[65] This was particularly detrimental in the case of eye injuries that require urgent care in order to preserve visual acuity.[66]

Eyes for Freedom[edit]

The Eyes for Freedom (Persian: Cheshm Baraye Azadi, چشم برای آزادی) movement started in the aftermath the Woman, Life, Freedom protests in Iran, sparked by the death-in-custody in September 2022 of 22-year-old Mahsa "Jina" Amini.[67][68][69][70] The movement was built through activism of people who had sustained significant eye injuries as a result of participating in, or being near protests.[71][72][2] The aim was to build a support network and to increase awareness of the people who were now faced with lifelong disability.[71][3]

Propaganda[edit]

As the Eyes for Freedom hashtag grew and the group garnered global attention, the government responded by attempting to discredit injured protesters.[73] In Tehran, banners were installed in May 2023 with a cartoon image of men with eye patches, one with a long wooden nose, a reference to fictional character Pinocchio whose wooden nose grows when he lies. Under the image were the words: "There are no good intentions with liars" (Persian: در دروغگویان خیری نهفته نیست). The government has continued to deny that any protesters suffered eye injuries.[74]

Global public reaction[edit]

On 8 April 2023 Angelina Jolie made a post in solidarity with those who had suffered injuries, sharing quotes and images of Elaheh Tavokolian and Zaniyar Tondro.[75][76] Multiple Iranian artists both inside and outside of Iran expressed solidarity. Singer Roozbeh Bemani released a song called "Your Eyes" (Persian: چشمات) in solidarity with the movement. In rallies around the world demonstrators donned eye patches and displayed photos of victims to help raise awareness of the issue.

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