Urgent Call to Renew UN Investigations on Iran’s Human Rights Violations

The UN Human Rights Council is called to renew the mandate of the special rapporteur on Iran amid ongoing severe human rights violations, particularly against women and minorities. Reports indicate a grim human rights crisis, urging the necessity for accountability and support for victims. Continued investigations reflect the persistent use of the death penalty and repression of dissenters in and outside Iran.

The United Nations Human Rights Council is urged to extend the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, according to a coalition of 42 Iranian and international human rights organizations. This request emphasizes the necessity for a continued independent investigative mechanism to build on the findings of the recent UN fact-finding mission.

On March 18, 2025, the fact-finding mission and the Special Rapporteur presented reports indicating persistent gross human rights violations in Iran, some qualifying as crimes against humanity. These violations disproportionately affect women, girls, minorities, and families seeking justice. Hilary Power, the UN Geneva director at Human Rights Watch, highlighted the reports, stating, “The reports by the fact-finding mission and the special rapporteur present a grim picture of a full-fledged crisis of human rights and impunity in Iran that requires a robust response from the Human Rights Council.”

Established in 2011, the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran has been vital in monitoring widespread human rights abuses and advocating for those at risk, including individuals facing imminent execution. Following the establishment of the fact-finding mission in November 2022, a response was initiated to the violent state crackdown on protests linked to the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman arrested for breaching compulsory veiling laws. The mission has been tasked with gathering evidence and holding accountable those responsible for serious crimes under international law.

The fact-finding mission’s March 2024 report denounced the Iranian authorities for committing severe human rights violations during protests associated with the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, including murder, torture, and enforced disappearance. As of 2025, the mission asserts these crimes have persisted without mitigation.

Despite ongoing systematic violations, Iranian authorities continue to ignore calls for justice. The use of the death penalty has sharply risen, with over 900 executions recorded in 2024, often targeting children and silence dissent, specifically among activists and minorities. Moreover, Iranian authorities have increasingly expanded their repression beyond national borders, threatening dissidents and journalists abroad.

The ongoing human rights violations in Iran necessitate the renewal of the UN special rapporteur’s mandate and the continuation of independent investigations. As highlighted by multiple reports, the situation remains dire, with serious abuses continuing unchecked. There is a critical need for accountability and support for victims, emphasizing the international community’s role in addressing and responding to such violations. It is paramount that the Human Rights Council acts decisively to uphold human rights standards in Iran.

Original Source: www.hrw.org