Eye injuries during 2022 Iranian protests explained

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. 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

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] KIPs are marketed as non or less-lethal weapons used for the purposes of dispersing crowds without causing penetrating wounds. However, when used inappropriately and fired indiscriminately, they have been known to cause injuries leading to life-long disability, or even death.[8] 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. 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] 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.[10] [11] [12] 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. After 8 months in a vegetative state, Amirataie succumbed to his injuries on 27 May 2023.

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. 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.

Historical use of KPIs against protesters in Iran

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. [13] 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.[14]

Notes and References

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  8. News: 2022-10-20 . Abolfazl Adinezadeh: Teenage protester shot dead by security forces - sources . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-10-01.
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  46. Web site: KHRN . 2023-09-07 . KHRN: Security forces arrest young man shot in eyes during protests . 2024-06-10 . KHRN . en.
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  51. Web site: KHRN . 2022-11-11 . KHRN: Iran protests: At least 7 civilians suffer irreparable damage to eye . 2024-06-10 . KHRN . en.
  52. Yasin, 14: I was shot in the back of the head and lost part of my skull . 2024-07-22 . IranWire . 2024-07-23 . YouTube.
  53. News: Fassihi . Farnaz . Engelbrecht . Cora . 2022-10-26 . Tens of Thousands in Iran Mourn Mahsa Amini, Whose Death Set Off Protests . 2024-06-11 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  54. Web site: John . Celine Alkhaldi,Adam Pourahmadi,Tara . 2022-10-26 . Clashes in Iran as thousands gather at Mahsa Amini's grave, 40 days after her death . 2024-06-11 . CNN . en.
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  58. Ghajar, Aida (2023-06-23). "Blinding as a Weapon (44): Nothing Is Like It Was before for Tattoo Artist Ashtari" (https://iranwire.com/en/blinding-as-a-weapon/117806-blinding-as-a-weapon-44-nothing-is-like-it-was-before-for-tattoo-artist-ashtari/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  59. Ghajar, Aida (2023-06-13). "Blinding As A Weapon (43): The Blinded Father Whose Child Miraculously Survived" (https://iranwire.com/en/blinding-as-a-weapon/117496-blinding-as-a-weapon-43-the-blinded-father-whose-child-miraculously-survived/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  60. Ghajar, Aida (2023-03-07). "Blinding As A Weapon (20): Babayi, The Birdwatcher Who Sacrificed An Eye" (https://iranwire.com/en/blinding-as-a-weapon/114507-blinding-as-a-weapon-20-babayi-the-birdwatcher-who-sacrificed-an-eye/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-10-01. Babayi was shot at by a pellet gun, causing irreparable damage to her right eye.

    Ali Delpasand

    Ali Delpasand (Ali Delpasand Moghadam, Persian: علی دلپسند), a father, was 43 years old at the time of injury. On the night of 15 November 2022, Delpasand and his family were in the car honking in support of the protesters in their hometown of Rasht when he was hit with a pellet gun, pellets causing irreparable damage to his right eye.[59]

  61. Ghajar, Aida (2023-03-15). "Blinding As A Weapon (25): The Phoenix Who Rose From Her Ashes" (https://iranwire.com/en/blinding-as-a-weapon/114794-blinding-as-a-weapon-25-the-phoenix-who-rose-from-her-ashes/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  62. Ghadarkhan, Samaneh (2022-12-01). "Iran Protest Crackdown: 5 ½-Year-Old Pellet Victim Loses Sight In One Eye" (https://iranwire.com/en/politics/110716-iran-protest-crackdown-5-%C2%BD-year-old-pellet-victim-loses-sight-in-one-eye/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  63. News: Nanu . Maighna . 2023-02-04 . Iranian security forces 'shooting at eyes of young women' . 2024-06-11 . The Telegraph . en-GB . 0307-1235.
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  67. Web site: Jafari . Hamid . 2023-08-02 . Exhibition takes up the call of women, life, freedom . 2024-06-11 . New Canadian Media . en-US.
  68. Ghajar, Aida (2023-04-12). "Blinding as a Weapon (32): PhD Student Continues Research after Losing Eye" (https://iranwire.com/en/blinding-as-a-weapon/115461-blinding-as-a-weapon-32-phd-student-continues-research-after-losing-eye/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  69. Rezaei, Rogayeh; Ghajar, Aida (2023-02-13). "Blinding As A Weapon (8): You Can Blind Me, But I Can Still See You" (https://iranwire.com/en/politics/113741-blinding-as-a-weapon-8-the-story-of-one-eyed-mohsen-kafshgar/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-10-03.[67]

    Majid Khademi

    Majid Khademi (Majid Khademi Taher, Persian: مجید خادمی), a PhD student, had been attending the 40th day ceremony commemorating the death of young protester Hadis Najafi on 3 November 2022 in Karaj when he was shot with a pellet gun, causing irreparable damage to his left eye.[68]

  70. Web site: Khajepoor . Hamid Reza . Instagram . 2024-06-11 . www.instagram.com.
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  72. Web site: KHRN . 2023-01-23 . KHRN: Protester shot by Iran forces loses sight in left eye despite surgery . 2024-06-11 . KHRN . en.
  73. Web site: Center for Human Rights in Iran . 2023-01-04 . Iranian Athletes Killed, Tortured, Sentenced to Death for Supporting Protests (Updated) . 2024-06-11 . Center for Human Rights in Iran.
  74. Ghajar, Aida; Younesipour, Payam (2023-01-26). "Blinding as a Weapon (3): The Story Of Champion Archer Kowsar Khoshnoodi Kia" (https://iranwire.com/en/news/113069-blinding-as-a-weapon-3-the-story-of-champion-archer-kowsar-khoshnoodi-kia/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  75. Ghajar, Aida; Eikdar, Solmaz (2023-02-24). "Blinding As A Weapon (15): Zoha Mousavi "Went Blind So That Others Can See" "(https://iranwire.com/en/blinding-as-a-weapon/114140-blinding-as-a-weapon-15-zoha-mousavi-went-blind-so-others-can-see/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  76. Ghajar, Aida (2023-02-21). "Blinding As A Weapon (13): He Sacrificed His Eyesight For Freedom"(https://iranwire.com/en/blinding-as-a-weapon/114010-blinding-as-a-weapon-13-he-sacrificed-his-eyesight-for-freedom/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-10-03.

    Zoha Mousavi

    Zoha Mousavi (Persian: ضحا موسوی), a beautician, was 25 years old at the time of injury. Mousavi was attending a protest in Isfahan on 1 October 2022 when she was shot with a paintball gun resulting in vision loss in her left eye.[75]

  77. "Nechirvan Maroufi, a citizen who protested against the murder of Zhina Amini, is hospitalized in Tabriz hospital"(https://kurdpa.net/en/news/nechirvan-maroufi-a-citizen-who-protested-against-the-murder-of-zhina-amini-is-hospitalized-in-tabriz-hospital). Kurdpa (kurdpa.net). 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2023-10-04.

    Ali Mohammadi

    Ali Mohammadi (Persian: علی محمدی), a barber, was 22 years old at the time of injury. Mohammadi was attending protests in Hamedan on 21 September 2022 when he was shot with a pellet gun causing irreparable damage to his left eye.[75]

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    Farid Rashidi

    Farid Rashidi (Persian: فرید رشیدی), a barber, was 30 years old at the time of injury. Rashidi had been attending a protest in Bandar Abbas on 15 November 2022 when he was shot with a pellet gun.Four pellets entered his left eye causing irreparable damage.[83]

  85. Ghajar, Aida (2023-02-16). "Blinding As A Weapon (11): Their Pellets Made Me More Influential" (https://iranwire.com/en/blinding-as-a-weapon/113856-blinding-as-a-weapon-11-their-pellets-made-me-more-influential/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-10-03.

    Ghazal Ranjkesh

    Ghazal Ranjkesh (Mohadase Ranjkesh, Persian: غزل رنجکش), a law student, was 21 at the time of injury. Ranjkesh was attending a protest in her hometown of Bandar Abbas on 15 November 2022 when she was shot at close range by a pellet gun.[81] [82] Damage to her eye was extensive and her doctors were unable to save it. Her right eye was subsequently enucleated.[83]

  86. Ghajar, Aida (2023-04-19). "Blinding as a Weapon (34): A Young Mother's "Badge of Honor"" (https://iranwire.com/en/blinding-as-a-weapon/115712-blinding-as-a-weapon-34-a-young-mothers-badge-of-honor/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
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    Elaheh Tavakolian

    Elaheh Tavakolian (Persian: الهه توکلیان), mother to twins, PhD student, was 34 years old at the time of injury. [88]

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    Kimia Zand

    Kimia Zand (Persian: کیمیا زند), was 26 years old at the time of injury. Zand was attending a protest in Tehran on 26 October 2022 (the 40th day ceremony after the death of Mahsa "Jina" Amini) when she was hit in the right eye with a paintball bullet.[93]

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  108. News: 2024-02-08 . Judicial Ordeal Continues for Iranian Who Suffered Eye Injury During Protest . 2024-06-11 . IranWire.
  109. News: 2024-05-10 . Iran Court Summons 2022 Protester Under 'Rebellion' Charge . 2024-06-11 . IranWire.
  110. Web site: KHRN . 2024-04-24 . KHRN: Kurdish civilian summoned for alleged anti-state propaganda . 2024-06-11 . KHRN . en.
  111. Web site: Khaanecinema . Instagram . 2024-06-25 . www.instagram.com.
  112. Web site: 'I will be living proof of the violent oppression in Iran' – DW – 03/18/2024 . 2024-06-11 . dw.com . en.
  113. News: Ghajar . Aida . 2023-01-30 . Blinding As A Weapon (4): The Story Of The "Joker Of Tehran" . IranWire . 2023-09-19.
  114. Web site: Rebane . Teele . 2022-10-19 . The doctors risking it all to treat Iran's protesters . 2023-10-02 . CNN . en.
  115. News: Tabrizy . Nilo . Jhaveri . Ishaan . 2022-11-23 . How Iran's Security Forces Use Ambulances to Suppress Protests . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-10-02 . 0362-4331.
  116. Web site: Center for Human Rights in Iran . 2023-02-22 . Iran: Scores Blinded as Security Forces Aim Guns at Protesters' Eyes . 2023-10-02 . Center for Human Rights in Iran.
  117. Web site: Woman, Life, Freedom — The Fight For Women's Rights In Iran Continues . 2023-10-02 . www.thegazelle.org . en.
  118. News: Ghajar . Aida . Hignett . Katherine . Shams . Omid . 2023-03-14 . Special Report: The Islamic Republic's Use of Blinding as a Weapon of War Against Protesters . IranWire . 2023-09-20.
  119. Hignett . Katherine . Ghajar . Aida . 2023-03-03 . Blinding as a Weapon: An Ophthalmological Review . IranWire . 2023-09-19.
  120. Web site: Iran . A. correspondent in . 2023-06-09 . Anger boils over Iranian authority accusing blinded protestors of lying . 2023-10-02 . The New Arab . en.
  121. News: 2023-05-08 . Tehran Billboards Claim Protesters Shot in Eyes Are "Liars" . IranWire . 2023-10-02.
  122. Web site: Jolie . Angelina . 2023-04-08 . Instagram . 2023-10-02 . www.instagram.com.
  123. Web site: 2023-10-02 . Angelina Jolie Expresses Support For Iranian Protesters Who Lost Eyes . 2023-10-02 . Iran International . en.
  124. Ghajar, Aida; Rezaei, Rogayeh (2023-02-07). "Blinding As A Weapon (6): Ghazal, Or The Power Of The Dragon" (https://iranwire.com/en/politics/113509-blinding-as-a-weapon-6-ghazal-or-the-power-of-the-dragon/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-09-19. and Niloofar Aghaee, a 32 year old midwife, who was shot at a protest with other medical staff.[100] What started as individuals publicly sharing their stories, led to the formation of a group inside of Iran of those with eye injuries, led by Shahinkar along with Mohammad Farzi (also known as the Joker of Tehran), [101] [102] who reached out to other injured protesters via Instagram. The formation of this group marked a critical moment, providing protesters dealing with effects of their injuries a much needed support system. This group also allowed for the introduction of medical staff and psychologists who were providing services safely for injured protesters. The unprecedented number of eye injuries in the country due to the systematic nature of the targeting of the eyes, had led to a shortage of supply of critical medications and availability of surgery appointments.The formation of a group amongst those injured allowed for channels to be opened to urgently source required medical supplies across the country, or from connections from outside, as well as accompanying one another and providing critical support for medical procedures and surgeries. The group was able to fundraise for medical procedures as many of those injured were unable to return to work. The formation of the group also served another purpose, to unite the individual stories in an attempt to draw global attention to the number of people impacted and their lives before and after losing their eye/s.

    This activism, and being a visible member of this group did not come without great personal cost to injured protesters.[103] [104] Activity on Instagram was monitored by the regime and those who were most active and their families were targets of threats and arbitrary court summons and arrests.[105] Amir Velayati was unable to access critical treatment for his injured eye as he was arrested and held in Evin Prison for a month.[106] [107] Since his release after being arrested in May of 2023, Velayati continued to face legal challenges and was arrested again in February of 2024.[108] Velayati faces charges of "rebellion", "activities and effective efforts to advance the goals of groups that have launched an armed uprising against the Islamic government" and "disruption of public ordeal.[109] Similarly, Matin Hassani was also summoned and charged with spreading anti-state propaganda. [110] He has been sentenced to 31 months in prison.[111] Kosar Eftekhari who had posted photos to her Instagram page in public without mandatory hijab had been handed a sentence of almost five years in prison and forced to flee the country.[112]

    Despite the constant threats to their safety, the group continued to build and raise awareness. The group allowed for a shared strength to build and show the world that life and their fight for freedom continues. Eyes for Freedom became a hashtag and a symbol for the resilience of those who had sacrificed their eyes in their pursuit of a free Iran and a normal life.

    Responses

    Government response

    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.[113] [114] [115] [116] [117] 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.[118] This was particularly detrimental in the case of eye injuries that require urgent care in order to preserve visual acuity.[119]

    Propaganda

    As the Eyes for Freedom hashtag grew and the group garnered global attention, the government responded by attempting to discredit injured protesters.[120] 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.[121]

    Global public reaction

    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.[122] [123] 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.

    References

    ]

  125. Ghajar, Aida (2023-04-05). "Blinding as a Weapon (30): Victim Breaks Silence Years after Losing Eye (https://iranwire.com/en/blinding-as-a-weapon/115237-blinding-as-a-weapon-29-victim-breaks-silence-years-after-losing-eye/). IranWire. Retrieved 2023-10-04. 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.[14] The true number of eye injuries across protests is unknown.

    Crime against humanity

    Article 7 of the Rome Statute under which the International Criminal Court is established defines crimes against humanity. 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).[15]

    "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).

    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.[16] First hand accounts of lasers on the faces of protesters prior to being shot further emphasise the purposeful intent of injury to the eyes.[17]

    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.[18] [19] [20] [21] 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.[22] [23] In July of 2023, sister of murdered protester Milad Saeedianjoo, Zahra Saeedianjoo was apprehended and detained for a second time in four months.[24] [25] Earlier in the year Zahra has also been fired from her job in relation to her activities seeking justice for her brother.[26] It is therefore virtually impossible to pursue justice internally in Iran.[27]

    "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.[28]
    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.[29] [30] 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).[31] Mousavian's release from prison was announced on 31 May 2024.[32] If this sentence had been executed, it would have set a precedent for the pursuit of legal action for those who have suffered eye injuries.

    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.[33] [34] [35] 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. 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.[36] 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.[37]

    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.

    "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.

    "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.

    "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.

    Publicised Fatalities

    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

    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.[38] 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 right.[39] 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.[40]

    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

    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

    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

    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. 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.[45]

    Case studies

    A special report by citizen journalism news site IranWire highlighted multiple case studies of people who had suffered eye injuries. The list released by IHRNGO confirms the accounts by IranWire reports. The detailed case studies including information on weapons used, geographic location and age of those injured demonstrates the systematic nature of these injuries, discounting potential for incidental eye injury at protests.

    Trauma to both eyes

    Parsa Ghobadi

    Parsa Ghobadi (Parsa Qobadi, Persian: پارسا قبادی), was 18 years old at the time of injury. 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. 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.[46] [47] Ghobadi was able to regain 40% of vision in his right eye after multiple operations.[48]

    Matin Mannani

    Matin Mannani (Seyed Matin Manani, Persian: متین منانی), a university student, was 25 years old at the time of injury. 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.

    Hossein Naderbeigi

    Hossein Naderbeigi (Hossein Naderbigi, Persian: حسین نادربیگی) a laborer, was 22 years old at the time of injury. Naderbeigi was not actively attending a protest when he was shot. 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.[49] Naderbeigi was shot repeated at close range by a pellet gun, including directly in his face.[50] Naderbeigi sustained significant and irreparable damage to both eyes resulting in permanent blindness.

    Mohammad Parsa Sehat

    Mohammad Parsa Sehat (Persian: محمد پارسا صحت), a barber, was 22 years old at the time of injury. 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.[51] 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.

    Ali Tahoune

    Ali Tahoune (Ali Tahouneh, Persian: علی طاحونه), a mechanic, was 34 years old at the time of injury. 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. 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.

    Other confirmed cases!Name !Age*!Date!City / Province !Weapon**
    Hamid Parsa Unknown21 September 2022TehranPellet Gun
    Iman 34Late October 2022 LorestanPellet Gun
    Soheil 2915 November 2022ShirazPellet Gun
    Yasin [52] 1230 September 2022ZahedanBullet
    Karu Feizi 2015 November 2022 Pellet Gun
    Firouz Mirani 2929 November 2022 PavehPellet Gun
    Mohammad Safiari Unknown19 November 2022 TehranPellet Gun
    Farideh Salavatipour ~4016 November 2022 SanandajPellet Gun
    Zaniyar Tondro1727 October 2022Pellet Gun
    • Age at the time of injury

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

    Trauma to one eye

    Hossein Abedini

    Hossein Abedini (Persian: حسین عابدینی), a model, was 20 years old at the time of injury. Abedini had been attending protests in Tehran on 21 September 2022 when was shot with a pellet gun causing permanent damage to his left eye.

    Niloofar Aghaee

    Niloofar Aghaee (Niloufar Aghayi, Persian: نیلوفر آقایی), a midwife, 31 years old at the time of injury, was attending a protest on 26 October 2022 (the 40th day ceremony after the death of Mahsa "Jina" Amini)[53] [54] with other medical staff outside of the Medical Council in Tehran. Aghaee was hit in the left eye by a paintball gun. Doctors were unable to restore her vision.

    Artin Ahmadi

    Artin Ahmadi (Persian: آرتین احمدی) a tattoo artist, was 18 years old at the time of injury. Ahmadi was attending a protest in his hometown of Sanandaj on 17 November 2022 when he was shot multiple times with a pellet gun. Ahmadi was left with over 60 pellets in his body, including one that caused permanent damage to his left eye.[55]

    Yaser "Alvand" Alvandiani

    Yaser “Alvand” Alvandiani (Persian: یاسر الوندیانی), a father, woodcarver and athlete, was 34 years old at the time of injury.[56] Alvandiani was attending protests in his hometown of Hamedan on 20 September 2022 when security forces began firing into the crowd. He sought refuge in an alley where he was cornered by three policemen and shot multiple times with pellet guns, causing irreparable damage to his left eye.

    Rahele Amiri

    Rahele Amiri (Raheleh Amiri, Persian: راحله امیری), a psychologist, was 29 years old at the time of injury. Amiri had been attending a protest in her hometown city of Kerman on 15 November 2022 when she was hit by metal pellets fired from a pellet gun, causing irreparable damage to her right eye.[57]

    Hossein Ashtari

    Hossein Ashtari (Persian: حسین اشتری), a tattoo artist, was 22 years old at the time of injury. Ashtari had been part of a student sit-in protest in Karaj on 9 October 2022 when he was hit in his left eye with a paintball gun, causing significant trauma to the eye.[58]

    Helia Babayi

    Helia Babayi (Persian: هلیا بابایی) was 16 years old at the time of injury. Babayi had become trapped inside of a mall in Isfahan with her father and others on 26 October 2022 (the 40th day ceremony after the death of Mahsa "Jina" Amini), when riot police had closed off entrances.[59]

    Kosar Eftekhari

    Kosar Eftekhari (Kowsar Eftekhari, Persian: کوثر افتخاری), a theatre actress, was 22 years old at the time of injury. Eftekhari was attending a protest on 12 October 2022 in Tehran when she was shot with a paintball gun causing irreparable damage to her right eye.[61]

    Benita Kiani Falavarjani

    Benita Kiani Falavarjani (Bonita Kiani Falavarjani, Persian: بنیتا کیانی فالورجانی), was five years old at the time of injury.[62] Benita was playing on the balcony at her grandparents house in Isfahan on 15 November 2022 when she was struck by metal pellets losing vision in her right eye.[63] [64]

    Mohammad Farzi

    Mohammad Farzi (Persian: محمد فرضی), an athlete, musician and artist known for his character The Joker of Tehran, was 32 years old at the time of injury. Farzi was attending protests in Tehran on 22 September 2022 when he was shot with a pellet gun after rescuing a woman who was being dragged away by the hair by security agents. One pellet lodged inside of Farzi's right eye, causing significant and irreparable damage.

    Hamid Ghasempor Farsani

    Hamid Ghasempor Farsani (Persian: حمید  قاسمپور فارسانی), a shopkeeper, was 37 years old at the time of injury. In April of 2022 he had attended protests in his home town of Farsan, protesting against poor living conditions, when he was shot with a pellet gun at close range.[65] Farsani has 23 pellets remaining in his head and irreparable damage to his right eye. Farsani was initially, mistakenly reported in local news outlets as having been killed.[66]

    Mohsen Kafshgar

    Mohsen Kafshgar (Mohsen Kafshegar, Persian: محسن کفشگر), a children's rights activist, was 31 at the time of injury. Kafshgar was shot directly in the face with a pellet gun in his hometown of Amol on 28 October 2022, causing loss of vision to his left eye.[67]

    Hamid Reza Khajepoor

    Hamid Reza Khajepoor (Hamidreza Khajepour, Persian: حمیدرضا خواجه پور), an interior designer, was 24 years old at the time of injury. Khajepoor was attending a protest in Kerman on 15 November 2022 when he was shot multiple times with a pellet gun, a pellet causing irreparable damage to his right eye.[70] [71]

    Mahbanou Khoshnoudi

    Mahbanou Khoshnoudi (Kosar Khosnoodi Kia, Kowsar Khoshnoudi Kia, Persian: مهبانو خشنودی), a professional archer, was 27 years old at the time of injury. Khoshnoudi was attending a protest with her father on 9 December 2022 in the city of Kermanshah when she was shot at with a pellet gun causing irreparable damage to her left eye.[72] [73] [74]

    Nachirvan Maroufi

    Nachirvan Maroufi (Nechirvan Maroufi, Persian: نچیروان معروفی), a conscripted soldier on leave, was 18 years old at the time of injury. Nachirvan had been in the city of Mahsa "Jina" Amini's birthplace, Saqqez, on 17 September 2022 when he was shot with a pellet gun, causing irreparable damage to his right eye.[75]

    Saman Pouriyaghma

    Saman Pouryaghma (Persian: سامان پوریغما), an export consultant, was 30 years old at the time of injury.[78] Pouryaghma was on his motorbike on Valiasr Street in Tehran when he was shot directly in the face by paintball gun, causing significant damage and loss of sight in his left eye. [79] [80] [81]

    Mersedeh Shahinkar

    Mersedeh Shahinkar (Mercede Shahinkar, Mercedeh Shahinkar Persian: مرسده شاهین‌کار), a mother and personal trainer, was 38 years old at the time of injury.[86]

    Sadegh Sufi

    Sadegh Sufi (Sadegh Sofi, Persian: صادق صوفی), a personal trainer, was 27 years old at the time of injury. Sufi had been attending a protest on 26 October 2022 (the 40th day ceremony after the death of Mahsa "Jina" Amini) in Bukan when was shot with a pellet gun, causing irreparable damage to his right eye.[88] Tavakolian was at a protest with her 10 year old twins in Mashhad on 20 September 2022 when she was shot in the face by a pellet gun, causing irreparable damage to her right eye.[91]

    Amir Velayati

    Amir Velayati (Amir Shah-Velayati, Persian: امیر والیتی), a barber, was 24 years old at the time of injury. On 24 September 2022, Velayati was attending a protest in Tehran when he was shot with a pellet gun, causing irreparable damage to his left eye.[92]

    Other confirmed cases!Name and Side (R/L) !Age* !Date!City / Province!Weapon**
    Amirhossein (L)2316 November 2022TehranPaintball Gun
    Bahman (R) 2110 October 2022 MahabadPellet Gun
    Danial (L) 48December 2022 TehranProjectile through carwindshield
    Elham (L) 3511 November 2022 HormozganPellet Gun
    Mohammad Reza (R) 30 26 October 2022 IsfahanPellet Gun
    Mostafa (L) 31 Late September 2022Chaharmahal andBakhtiari ProvincePellet Gun
    Mostaneh (L) 23UnknownPiranshahrPellet Gun
    Nazanin (L) 1615 November 2022 Pellet Gun
    Sara (L) 213 November 2022 KarajPellet Gun
    Zara (R) 1822 September 2022 TehranTear Gas Canister
    Vahid Abbasi Piani (side unknown) 2815 November 2022 IzehPellet Gun
    Ayoub Abdollahi (R) 2311 October 2022 SaqqezPellet Gun
    Nemat Afshar (L) 3620 September 2022 QazvinPellet Gun
    Maryam Babayi (L) Unknown24 September 2022 TehranPellet Gun
    Hossein Bagherpour (R) 2415 November 2022 Paintball Gun
    Matin Chakav (R) 1812 October 2022 Pellet Gun
    Hamed Davoudi (R) 3026 October 2022 IsfahanPellet Gun
    Meisam Dehghani (R) 2815 November 2022 Pellet Gun
    Kian Derakhshan (R) 2217 September 2022 SaqqezPellet Gun
    Reza Ezati (R) 473 November 2022 KarajPellet Gun
    Mojtaba Fadayi (L) Unknown24 September 2022 JunghanPellet Gun
    Mani Haji Hassan (R) 1629 December 2022 TehranTear Gas Canister
    Saman Hemati (R) 2218 November 2022 Pellet Gun
    Ahmad Naeim Hirmandzad (L) 599 October 2022 HirmandBrass Knuckles
    Samane Hosseini (R) 2516 November 2022 TehranPaintball Gun
    Behrouz Hosseini (L) 2115 November 2024IsfahanPellet Gun
    Seyed Mohammad Hosseini Payiz (R) Unknown 18 November 2022 Unknown Pellet Gun
    Hossein Hosseinpour (R) 2517 November 2022 MahabadPellet Gun
    Parviz Javani (L) 2712 October 2022 Pellet Gun
    Asal Jazideh (L) 171 October 2022 RashtPellet Gun
    Ali Khaleghi (L) 2415 October 2022KermanPaintball Gun
    Sepehr Khaleghi (R) 28 15 November 2022 TehranTear Gas Canister
    Nima Khoujmali (L) 2020 September 2022 Pellet Gun
    Abbas Ali Maghboun (R) 4920 September 2022 KishPellet Gun
    Mehdi "Metty" Meighani (R) 1920 September 2022 ArakPellet Gun
    Shahin Milan (L) 2219 November 2022 KhoyPellet Gun
    Hamed Ali Mohammadi (R) 3722 September 2022KarajPellet Gun
    Ziba Mostafazadeh (L) 353 November 2022 Pellet Gun
    Mostafa Motalebi (L) 3415 November 2022 TehranPellet Gun
    Erfan Mousavi (R)1821 September 2022TabrizPellet Gun
    Majid Movafegh (L)3721 September 2022KarajPellet Gun
    Hirsh Naghshbandi (L) Unknown22 September 2022 SanandajPellet Gun
    Hossein Nouri Nikou (L) 2520 September 2022 TehranPellet Gun
    Hamidreza Panahi (L) 2715 November 2022 TehranPellet Gun
    Kamal Pishvand (L) 4112 October 2022 MahabadPellet Gun
    Ahmad Pirhaghir (R) 2612 October 2022 SaqqezPellet Gun
    Kiyarash Pour Rasoul (L) 27 29 October 2022 Pellet Gun
    Massoud Rahimpour (R) 3319 September 2022 SaqqezPellet Gun
    Sajad Rahmatipour (L) 2517 October 2022 AbdananPellet Gun
    Erfan Ramizipour (R) 1915 November 2022 Bandar AbbasPellet Gun
    Ali Mohammad Rezaei (L) 6018 November 2022 AbdananPellet Gun
    Younes Rigi (R) 2614 October 2022 ZahedanPellet Gun
    Vahed Rouznavard (L) 2112 October 2022 MahabadPellet Gun
    Milad Safari (L) 3522 September 2022 KarajPellet Gun
    Arvin Salimi (L) 2227 October 2022 DehgalanPellet Gun
    Hosein Shahi (L) 2426 October 2022 TehranPaintball Gun
    Erfan Shakouri (R) 1321 September 2022 RezvanshahrPellet Gun
    Mohammad Vakili (R) 3121 September 2022 HamedanPellet Gun
    Salar Vatankhah (R) 2315 November 2022 KarajPellet Gun
    Ali Zare (R) 23 7 October 2022 TehranPellet Gun
    • Age at the time of injury

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

    Eyes for Freedom

    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.[95] [96] [97] The movement was built through activism of people who had sustained significant eye injuries as a result of participating in, or being near protests.[98] The aim was to build a support network and to increase awareness of the people who were now faced with lifelong disability.

    On 19 October 2022, Mersedeh Shahinkar shared pictures of her injured eye via social media platform Instagram.[99] She had been shot by a paintball gun at a protest just four days earlier. A month later, a man known by the pseudonym Saman, who after being blinded in one eye at a protest on 2 October 2022 left the country. Once outside of the country, Saman gave an interview with the New York Times, which published a story on 19 November 2022 that brought international attention to the practice of direct shooting in the faces of protesters. The New York Times had also gathered information from doctors and people inside of Iran that indicated over 500 people had suffered major injury to their eyes.

    Several others gained global attention, including then 21 year old law student Ghazal Ranjkesh who posted a picture of herself to social media with the quote: “When you shot me from a distance of two meters and smiled, were you thinking that I would survive and smile back at you?”,[100]