HRA Urges Tippmann Sports to Condemn Use of its Equipment for Repressing Iran Protests

Human Rights Activists (HRA) in Iran published a statement addressed to Tippmann Sports Company. 

The group asks the firm to condemn the Iranian government’s use of Tippmann products in repressing protests.

The US-based nonprofit organization said it acquired relevant documents and reports. They include proof that FARAJA used Tippmann paintball guns to confront protesters.

More details about the HRA letter

How did U.S. company @Tippmann sell the IR security apparatus over 90% of the paintball guns they’re using to repress unarmed protesters?
We need an investigation & those responsible must be identified. @CNN @MSNBC @nytimes @AP @SkyNews @politico #MahsaAmini #IranRevoIution pic.twitter.com/y8U48Mhxr3

— Sepideh Moafi (@SepidehMoafi) October 25, 2022

It sent an open letter online on October 25, 2022. The HRA in Iran said it has proof that government security forces used paintball equipment to repress unarmed protesters.

The country is under heavy economic sanctions by the US and other democratic nations. However, the HRA did not claim any malice on the part of Tippmann Sports.

It also found no evidence that the Iranian government obtained the equipment straight from the manufacturer. The group specified the Model 98 Paintball Gun. 

Still, it saddens the nonprofit organization that these people use Tippmann Sports equipment to suppress protests. 

The HRA asked Tippmann Sports LLC to publicly support the Iranian people fighting for democracy and human rights.

Moreover, it requests the company prevent repressive regimes from acquiring its products. The HRA suggested using measures that would limit future contractual sales. 

The response from Tippmann’s parent company

In the past few weeks, images and videos have emerged from Iran showing Islamic Republic security forces using @Tippmann paintball guns to injure innocent Iranians, including children.

I spoke to the CEO of Kore Outdoor, @Tippmann’s parent company, and he issued this statement. pic.twitter.com/e9oR0Yl7EA

— Yashar Ali 🐘 یاشار (@yashar) October 25, 2022

Yashar Ali, a contributor for the Huffington Post and New York Magazine, spoke with the CEO of Kore Outdoor. 

It is the parent company of the sporting goods company Tippmann Sports. Here is the exact statement:

“Kore Outdoor condemns in the strongest terms the use of our paintball products in the repression of democratic movements such as the one currently taking place in Iran.”

“I started playing paintball when I was 15, and the game has been an integral part of my life for 34 years. Paintball is about camaraderie, not silencing voices and injuring men, women, and children.”

“We stand with the rest of the world in condemning violence against the people of Iran.”

“We follow all US import and export laws and have never sold any goods directly or indirectly to any nations on the US ITAR embargo list, including but not limited to Iran.”