UN officials and human rights organizations are expressing grave concerns over Iran’s continued crackdown on nationwide protests, warning that the security forces’ use of lethal force could amount to serious violations of international law. During an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee described the situation in Iran as “fluid and deeply concerning,” emphasizing the potential for escalating violence. The meeting, called for by the United States, follows weeks of protest stemming from economic grievances that have transformed into widespread anti-government demonstrations. These protests mark the largest such movement since those triggered by the 2022 death of Jina Amini while in police custody.
Concerns have mounted as reports indicate that Iranian security forces have engaged in mass killings since protests intensified on January 8. Human Rights Watch has documented that the scope of the violence includes thousands of deaths among protesters and bystanders, although exact figures remain obscured due to internet shutdowns and communication barriers. Verified evidence, such as gunshot wounds to protesters’ heads and torsos and videos revealing hundreds of bodies in overfilled forensic centers, suggests coordinated lethal force across multiple provinces like Tehran and Kermanshah.
Lama Fakih from Human Rights Watch has called for UN member states to convene a special session of the UN Human Rights Council to reinforce accountability measures, urging for the support of mechanisms like the International Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Iran.
While Iranian authorities have denied these allegations, framing protesters as “terrorists” and “rioters,” the international community remains concerned. US Ambassador Mike Waltz highlighted the broader implications for international peace and security, urging that international action must follow to ensure accountability for these reported abuses.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres continues to advocate for restraint, emphasizing that issues related to the situation in Iran should be addressed through diplomacy and dialogue, particularly as tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program simmer alongside civil unrest. Pobee’s briefing underscored the precariousness of the situation, warning that public threats of military action only add volatility. Details from a JURIST report also illuminate the potential ramifications for Iran’s immediate future, as calls for international accountability grow louder amidst ongoing political and social unrest.