Call for Continued UN Investigations into Human Rights Violations in Iran
On March 18, 2025, 42 human rights organizations called for the UN to renew the mandate for the special rapporteur on Iran amid ongoing human rights abuses. Reports indicate that violations, including executions and discrimination against women and minorities, are prevalent. The special rapporteur’s monitoring is crucial for accountability and justice as Iran imposes severe repression on dissenters and victims seeking truth.
The United Nations Human Rights Council is urged to extend its mandate for the UN special rapporteur addressing human rights issues in Iran. On March 18, 2025, a coalition of 42 Iranian and international human rights organizations emphasized the need for an ongoing independent investigation to reinforce the findings of the UN fact-finding mission. This mission and the special rapporteur reported alarming evidence of persistent human rights violations in Iran, termed as crimes against humanity, notably impacting women, minorities, and victims advocating for justice.
Hilary Power, the UN Geneva director at Human Rights Watch, stated that the reports present “a grim picture of a full-fledged crisis of human rights and impunity in Iran that requires a robust response from the Human Rights Council.” She emphasized the critical nature of these mandates to foster accountability in the absence of justice within the country, thereby supporting justice-seeking victims and their families.
Since its introduction in 2011, the UN special rapporteur for Iran has been essential in monitoring human rights violations while making urgent interventions to protect individuals at risk, including those facing execution. Following the establishment of the fact-finding mission in November 2022, investigations focused on the severe crackdown after the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, who died in morality police custody. The mission’s role includes collecting evidence and identifying perpetrators of human rights abuses.
In its preliminary report released in March 2024, the mission revealed that Iranian authorities had perpetuated serious human rights violations during the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, labeling these actions as crimes against humanity involving murder, torture, and sexual violence, among others. By 2025, reports indicated that these violations persisted unabated.
The situation in Iran remains dire, with authorities conducting over 900 executions in 2024, many against children, in stark violation of international law. The use of capital punishment has been weaponized to stifle political dissent, particularly targeting women and minority groups. State violence and discrimination against women, girls, and ethnic minorities endure as systematic and extreme.
Moreover, Iran’s authorities have actively suppressed calls for justice and accountability by persecuting victims’ families and their advocates. This repression is not limited to the nation, as threats against dissidents, journalists, and media professionals abroad have intensified, signifying a troubling trend of transnational repression.
The imperative for the UN Human Rights Council to renew the mandate of the special rapporteur on Iran and maintain an international investigative mechanism is critical. Reports reveal ongoing severe human rights abuses and a deteriorating situation, particularly for women and minorities. These investigative bodies are essential in holding perpetrators accountable and supporting victims in their quest for justice amidst rampant impunity within Iran.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
