In a troubling revelation, a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has brought to light serious human rights abuses in Iran, marked by mass arbitrary arrests and detentions. The abuses have persisted since the mass protests that erupted in December 2025, primarily fueled by economic instability and social dissent. The report indicates that many of the protesters involved in the demonstrations on January 8-9 have been subjected to torture and forced disappearances.
The HRW investigation highlights that Iranian authorities have been executing violent arrests, often followed by hasty trials and harsh sentences, including the death penalty. There are alarming reports of detainees being denied legal representation and contact with their families. Further information reveals that children are among the detained, facing severe punishments, and are at risk of death sentences.
The crackdown has involved security agencies like FARAJA, Revolutionary Guards, and the Ministry of Intelligence, which are accused of torturing detainees through brutal beatings and other forms of violence. Disturbing accounts have emerged, including the case of a 16-year-old boy who was reportedly beaten, tortured, and deprived of food for days.
Amnesty International also reported on February 19 that coerced confessions have been broadcasted, raising concerns about the integrity of trials and the treatment of detainees. The international community is particularly alarmed by reports of forced disappearances, where participants in protests have seemingly vanished without a trace.
The UN acknowledges a death toll of over 3,000 and approximately the same number of arrests, though human rights organizations suggest the numbers are likely much higher. HRW has called on UN member states to demand the immediate release of the detainees, reveal the fates of those disappeared, and halt any planned executions. Moreover, HRW advocates for allowing the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Iran and other international observers unrestricted access to assess the situation.
These actions by the Iranian authorities contravene international laws, including the Convention against Torture, the Declaration on the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The situation is exacerbated by the involvement of minors, which further violates the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Such reports underscore the urgent need for international attention and intervention to address these severe human rights violations.