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(New York) - The violence against protesters in Iran underlines the urgent need for an independent and transparent criminal investigation into the actions of those officials responsible, Human Rights Watch said today. Since February 14, 2011, Iranian security forces' attacks on anti-government protests have led to three confirmed deaths, dozens of injuries, and hundreds of arrests.

In response to a request from the Council for the Coordination of the Green Path of Hope (the Council), an opposition body, thousands of Iranians filled the streets of Tehran and other major cities on March 1 to protest the house arrest of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi. Security forces, including riot police and basij militias, outnumbered demonstrators in many parts of Tehran and attacked them with teargas, batons, and gunshot pellets. Witnesses have told Human Rights Watch that most of the security forces attacks appeared to be efforts to prevent crowds from forming and chanting slogans. Dozens were arrested, the witnesses said. The Council has supported calls by youth groups on Facebook for two more protests, on March 8 and March 15.

"Iran should immediately end attacks against protesters and set up independent and transparent investigations into the arbitrary arrests, detentions, injuries, and deaths that have taken p... >>>