The United Nations Human Rights Council has been urged by 42 Iranian and international human rights organisations to renew the mandate of the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran. This call for action emerged following reports on March 18, 2025, from both the rapporteur and a special fact-finding mission, which uncovered severe human rights violations ongoing within Iran, particularly against women and minorities. These organizations emphasise the necessity of continued international investigative efforts to ensure accountability for such actions.
Reports indicate a distressing surge of human rights infringements in Iran, amounting to crimes against humanity. Hilary Power from Human Rights Watch stated that “the reports… present a grim picture of a full-fledged crisis of human rights and impunity in Iran.” The urgency for robust action from the Human Rights Council is clear, given the absence of justice and remedies within the nation, necessitating the survival of the special rapporteur’s mandate.
Since its establishment in 2011, the UN special rapporteur role has been pivotal in monitoring human rights abuses, issuing urgent appeals, and safeguarding those at risk. The UN fact-finding mission, created in response to the brutal repression following Jina Mahsa Amini’s death in custody in 2022, has focused on promoting accountability for human rights abuses, collecting vital evidence, and identifying the perpetrators.
In its inaugural report in March 2024, the fact-finding mission disclosed serious violations of human rights by Iranian authorities during their crackdown on the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, detailing offences such as murder, torture, and sexual violence. By 2025, it confirmed these transgressions had not ceased, signalling a dire need for ongoing scrutiny.
The human rights landscape in Iran remains bleak, with reports of over 900 executions in 2024, many involving minors—a stark violation of international regulations. The authorities misuse the death penalty as an instrument for oppression, particularly targeting protests by women and minorities. Furthermore, families seeking justice are subjected to persecution and transnational repression, with state authorities also threatening dissidents and journalists beyond Iran’s borders.
The UN Human Rights Council is urged to renew the mandate of the special rapporteur for Iran. Reports reveal gross human rights violations, particularly against women and minorities. The special rapporteur has played a critical role in monitoring abuses since 2011. The fact-finding mission highlighted serious violations amid civil protests, necessitating continued international scrutiny and action to establish accountability amid escalating repression.
In summary, the continuation of the UN’s investigation into Iran is critical as human rights abuses at an alarming level persist unabated. Urged by numerous organisations, the renewal of mandates for the special rapporteur and the investigative mission is vital for ensuring accountability for crimes against humanity. As ongoing violations and state-sponsored violence escalate, proactive measures from the Human Rights Council are desperately needed to secure justice for victims and support their families in a climate where local remedies are virtually non-existent.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
