UK condemns 'disturbing' treatment of Iran protesters
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Foreign Secretary David Miliband praised the "courage" of protesters in Iran today after bloody clashes that are thought to have left more than a dozen dead.
Mr Miliband condemned the lack of restraint by Tehran's security forces, saying that reports emerging from the capital were "disturbing".
"The tragic deaths of protesters in Iran are yet another reminder of how the Iranian regime deals with protest," he said in a statement.
"Ashura is a time of religious commemoration and reflection and it is therefore particularly disturbing to hear accounts of the lack of restraint by the security forces.
"Ordinary Iranian citizens are determined to exercise their right to have their voices heard. They are showing great courage.
"I call on the Iranian Government to respect the human rights of its own citizens - rights which Iran has promised to respect."
A number of opposition figures are believed to have been detained in Iran today, as the violence abated.
Those held apparently include senior aides to opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, whose nephew Seyed Ali Mousavi was among those killed in yesterday's clashes - the worst since June's contested elections.
State television has given different estimates of the casualties, ranging from eight to 15 dead. Most of those are thought to have been protesters, although several members of the security forces were also reportedly killed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments