13 January 2026
UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday said he was horrified by the
mounting violence directed by security forces at protesters
across Iran, as reports indicate hundreds have been killed
and thousands arrested.
The High Commissioner urged
the Iranian authorities to halt immediately all forms of
violence and repression against peaceful protesters and to
restore full access to the internet and telecommunication
services. He also called for accountability for the serious
violations.
“The killing of peaceful demonstrators
must stop, and the labelling of protesters as
‘terrorists’ to justify violence against them is
unacceptable,” Türk said.
“As we saw most
recently in 2022, broad sections of the Iranian population
have taken to the streets, demanding fundamental changes in
the governance of their country,” he added. “And once
again, the authorities’ reaction is to inflict brutal
force to repress legitimate demands for
change.”
“This cycle of horrific violence cannot
continue. The Iranian people and their demands for fairness,
equality and justice must be heard,” said the High
Commissioner, adding that all killings, violence against
protesters, and other human rights violations must be
investigated in line with international human rights norms
and standards, and those responsible held to
account.
Several hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed
by the number of casualties, including children. Nationwide
internet and telecommunications shutdowns are one of the
main challenges to full verification. There are reports
indicating that members of security forces have also been
killed.
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“It is also extremely worrying to see public
statements by some judicial officials indicating the
possibility of the death penalty being used against
protesters through expedited judicial proceedings” Türk
added.
Since 8 January, Iranian authorities have
imposed a nationwide internet shutdown, affecting
Iranians’ rights to freedom of expression and access to
information, disrupting emergency and lifesaving services
and obstructing independent human rights
monitoring.
“Iranians have the right to demonstrate
peacefully. Their grievances need to be heard and addressed,
and not instrumentalised by anyone,” Türk
added.
