The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The United Nations high commissioner for human rights has urged Iranian authorities to end what he described as a “brutal and violent” crackdown on protesters and to pursue dialogue grounded in human rights principles.
Volker Türk made the remarks Friday, Jan. 23, during a
special session of the U.N. Human Rights Council on Iran, saying that while
street killings may have declined, violence, mass arrests and systematic human
rights violations continue.
Türk said the harsh suppression of public protests will not
resolve Iran’s problems but will instead fuel further human rights abuses,
instability and bloodshed.
He added that since Jan. 8, thousands of people, including
children, have been killed during security operations in which Iranian security
forces allegedly used live ammunition against protesters.
The U.N. rights chief also pointed to widespread internet
and communications shutdowns, saying they have severely hampered efforts to
verify casualty figures and restricted access to information for international
organizations.
According to Türk, reports indicate that peaceful protesters
have been targeted in streets, residential areas, universities and even health
facilities.
He further expressed concern over mass arrests, the pursuit
of injured protesters in hospitals, and the detention of lawyers, human rights
defenders, artists, athletes and ordinary citizens. Türk said the broadcast of
forced confessions on state media and a lack of judicial transparency raise
serious concerns about the right to a fair trial.
Türk also warned of a troubling rise in executions in Iran,
noting that the country continues to record one of the highest execution rates
in the world. He said at least 1,500 people were executed in 2025, marking a 50%
increase compared with the previous year.
