This is amid reports that hundreds of people have been killed and thousands arrested during nationwide demonstrations.
Speaking on Tuesday, Türk said he was horrified by the mounting use of force against protesters and urged Iranian authorities to immediately end all violence and repression. He also called for the restoration of full access to the internet and telecommunications, which have been largely shut down across the country.
“The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop, and the labelling of protesters as terrorists to justify violence against them is unacceptable,” Türk said.
Protests have spread across all provinces of Iran since December 28, driven initially by public anger over record inflation, rising food prices and the sharp collapse of the national currency. Türk noted that similar protests erupted in 2022, when large sections of the population demanded fundamental changes in governance.
“Once again, the authorities’ response has been to inflict brutal force to repress legitimate demands for change,” he said, warning that the ongoing cycle of violence could not continue. He stressed that the Iranian people’s demands for fairness, equality and justice must be heard, and that all killings and human rights violations must be independently investigated, with those responsible held accountable.
The UN human rights chief said several hospitals were reportedly overwhelmed by casualties, including children, while nationwide internet and telecommunications shutdowns were making it difficult to verify the true scale of deaths and injuries. There have also been reports of members of the security forces being killed during the unrest.
Türk raised particular concern about statements from some judicial officials suggesting the possible use of the death penalty against protesters through expedited court proceedings, describing such developments as extremely worrying.
He added that since January 8, the nationwide internet shutdown has severely restricted freedom of expression and access to information, disrupted emergency and lifesaving services, and hindered independent human rights monitoring.
“Iranians have the right to demonstrate peacefully,” Türk said. “Their grievances need to be heard and addressed, not instrumentalised by anyone.”
Separately, a group of independent UN human rights experts also urged Iran to end the violence and create space for dialogue. The experts warned that the use of lethal force against peaceful protesters, arbitrary arrests, including of children, and attacks on medical facilities constitute clear violations of international human rights law.
According to the experts, security forces have used rifles, shotguns loaded with metal pellets, water cannons and tear gas against largely peaceful protesters, alongside beatings. There have also been reports of raids on hospitals, the use of tear gas inside medical facilities, and attempts to arrest wounded protesters.
More than 2 600 people have reportedly been detained, including schoolchildren. The experts cautioned that reports of death sentences, if carried out, would compound unlawful killings on the streets with state-sanctioned executions.
The four experts, all Special Rapporteurs appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, operate independently and voluntarily. They are not UN staff and do not receive payment for their work.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
