A month after the start of nationwide protests in Iran, at least 215 people, including 27 children, have been killed by security forces and mass arrests made on and off the streets.

Calling for the immediate release of all protesters and recognition of the Iranian people’s right to peaceful protest, Iran Human Rights warns about the dire situation of the detainees.

Reports received by Iran Human Rights confirm that detainees are being subjected to verbal insults and torture and other ill-treatment. Some have been forced to make self-incriminating televised confessions under duress and torture. Furthermore, some protesters have been taken to unofficial buildings without any regulations or monitoring. The official detention centres and prisons are filled above capacity without sanitary facilities. Children under 18 years are amongst the detainees.

Iran Human Rights is unable to provide the exact number of arrests, but based on reports from different cities, it is estimated that several thousand people have been arrested in Iran. Of the available information, at least 38 journalists, 170 students, 16 lawyers and more than 580 civil activists, including workers and teachers unions, have been arrested. Islamic Republic officials have provided sporadic statistics. For example, a member of parliament announced that 3000 people were arrested in Tehran and police officials in Gilan stated that 880 people had been arrested on October 16.

Many human rights defenders and journalists were arrested off the streets. It is not clear what charges they have been arrested for and, in a lot of cases, where they are being held. There are reports of arbitrary arrests without warrants, with security forces even disguised to gain access to properties. Following arrest, fundamental rights including access to a lawyer, medical treatment, being informed of charges, telephone access and due process are systematically breached.