UN Mission Urges Evidence Collection for Iran Violence
GENEVA – Following what appears to have been the deadliest crackdown by the Government of Iran against its people since the 1979 Revolution, the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Iran said the priority now must be on gathering evidence of alleged human rights violations and holding perpetrators to account.
Addressing the 39th special session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva today, Fact-Finding Mission chair Sara Hossain said credible reports indicated that thousands of people have been killed since the protests erupted on 28 December, while the government claims at least 300 members of the security forces were also killed. Over 24,000 people have been reportedly arrested, including children, journalists, and human rights defenders.
“In the context of the shocking recent events in Iran, the priority must now be to gathering evidence and establishing whether human rights violations and crimes under international law, including crimes against humanity, may have occurred,” Hossain said. “The only way to prevent the recurrence of such abuses is through securing accountability and breaking the cycle of impunity. Recent events underline how critical it is to halt this cycle before yet another more serious escalation produces more irreparable harm.”
With respect to the demonstrations, the Government’s response – which appears to have been organized – takes place against the backdrop of a legal framework that fails to protect the rights of Iranians, maintains systemic impunity and thus enables the recurrence of human rights violations.
“When viewed alongside established historical patterns of violations previously identified by the Mission, the Government’s response demonstrates an urgent need for the international community to act,” Hossain said. “In this regard, we underscore that threats or acts of unilateral military intervention by third States are contrary to international law. We further note that allegations of double standards in the application of international law do not absolve states of their obligation to respect and protect human rights. The recent developments in Iran make it imperative to identify and hold to account the perpetrators and State structures enabling the violence, and to assist and protect victims of violations.”
The protests, sparked by an economic crisis and deteriorating living conditions, quickly spread to all 31 of Iran’s provinces. After some Government representatives initially adopted a conciliatory tone, the State response appears to have devolved into increasing violence.
Since 8 January, the Government has imposed a complete Internet and mobile services shutdown, effectively cutting off millions of Iranians from the outside world.
Despite the blackout, the Fact-Finding Mission has collected witness and victim accounts and continues to gather evidence regarding allegations of gross human rights violations including unnecessary and disproportionate use of force, resulting in arbitrary killings and severe injuries, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, arbitrary arrest and detention, and forced confessions.
The Fact-Finding Mission has also assessed video footage and images which appear to show security forces firing lethal ammunition into crowds that did not pose an imminent threat to life.
Injuries are estimated to number in the thousands, including the elderly, women and children. Metal pellets were reportedly fired into the faces of victims at close range, recalling the pattern of blinding protesters previously established by the Mission in relation to the ‘Woman, Life Freedom’ protests in 2022. On 10 January alone, up to 500 protesters with pellet injuries to their eyes were reportedly admitted to a hospital in Isfahan.
Video footage reviewed by the Fact-Finding Mission appears to show some individuals engaging in acts of violence such as burning vehicles and buildings. The Government claims some individuals have attacked relief workers and medical personnel, and caused considerable damage to public and private property, including healthcare facilities, religious centers and emergency equipment.
“These accounts need to be verified,” Hossain said. “The Mission recalls that use of lethal force in law enforcement is subject to extremely strict criteria under international human rights law. Intentional lethal force can only be used as a last resort when it is strictly necessary to protect life against an imminent threat.”
“International law demands an end to gross human rights violations, protection for those at risk, and a real path to truth, justice and accountability for women, men and children in Iran,” Hossain said.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/01/iran-after-unprecedented-violence-priority-must-be-gathering-evidence-hold
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