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Amnesty report 'shines light on horrific ordeals', including sexual assault, of Iranian protesters

Members of the Iranian security forces raped and used other forms of sexual violence against women, men, and even boys and girls as young as 12, all detained in the crackdown on nationwide protests that erupted from September 2022. An Amnesty International report documented 45 such cases of rape, gang rape or sexual violence against protesters. With cases in more than half of Iran's provinces, it expressed fear these documented violations appeared part of a "wider pattern". The London-based organisation said it had shared its findings with the Iranian authorities on November 24 "but has thus far received no response". The protests began in Iran in September 2022 after the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, 22. Her family says she was killed by a blow to the head but this has always been disputed by the Iranian authorities. For in-depth analysis and a closer look into the Amnesty report, FRANCE 24's Kethevane Gorjestani is joined by Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.