Iranian Security Forces Accused of Interfering with Medical Care During Protests
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iranian security agents reportedly obstructed medical care for wounded protesters following last month’s crackdown on nationwide demonstrations, according to doctors and rights groups. Some protesters sought treatment outside of hospitals, fearing arrest, while others already receiving care within hospital walls were targeted.
The allegations, first reported by the Times of Israel, detail a systematic effort to suppress dissent even within the healthcare system. Iranian doctors have stated that security forces entered hospitals in multiple cities, searching for injured protesters.
The Iran Human Rights Center, based in Oslo, has documented numerous instances of security agents preventing medical attention, forcibly removing patients from life support, and detaining both wounded protesters and medical personnel. Amiry-Moghaddam, the neuroscientist who founded the group, described the interference as “systematic.”
Reports indicate that dozens of doctors have been arrested. The actions raise serious concerns about the Iranian government’s response to the protests and its willingness to respect the neutrality of medical facilities, a principle enshrined in international humanitarian law.
The crackdown followed widespread protests sparked by [details about the protests are not available in the provided sources]. The interference with medical care adds another layer to the concerns surrounding human rights violations during the unrest.
