Rights Chief Condemns Iran’s Violent Suppression of Water Shortage Protests

GENEVA - U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is condemning the violent suppression by Iranian security forces of protesters demanding action to resolve chronic water shortages in Khuzestan province.

Peaceful protests took place last week in several cities across Khuzestan in southwestern Iran over water shortages and mismanagement.  Iranian security forces reacted by violently crushing the protests instead of addressing the longstanding water crisis. Rights chief Michelle Bachelet is calling on the Iranian government to take urgent action to resolve the problem.  She is urging that action instead of using excessive force to stifle debate and keep the population in line.