In a sobering new report released on March 14, 2025, the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran (FFMI) warns that Iran’s ongoing human rights violations amount to crimes against humanity, especially following the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests of 2022. The report underscores the regime’s brutal response to dissent, marked by murder, torture, and repression, primarily targeting women and vulnerable groups. Fresh evidence of 38,000 pieces, including testimonies from 281 victims, reveals systematic assaults on civilians, highlighting that Iran’s progress on accountability remains non-existent.
The investigation into the Iranian government’s actions discloses a chilling pattern of escalating brutality, particularly against women who resist mandatory hijab laws. The FFMI’s findings reveal over 600 women arrested in 2024 alone for noncompliance with these draconian regulations. Citizens, including police and security forces, have been mobilised to enforce these laws through violence, leading to high-profile cases of severe punishment like flogging for defying the stringent dress code.
Moreover, Iran has alarmingly ramped up the use of the death penalty, executing nearly 1,000 people, with a disproportionate number being political dissidents, women activists, and ethnic minorities. The FFMI highlighted that many of these executions are linked to the political climate post-protests, where confessions were often coerced under torture and denied legal representation.
Security forces have been accused of employing horrific interrogation methods, involving physical and psychological torture, with women and children bearing the brunt of these abuses. Disturbing accounts include incidents of rape and sexual violence in detention, illustrating the total disregard for human dignity exercised by Iranian authorities.
The report reveals systematic crackdowns against ethnic and religious minorities, with deadly incidents, such as the Bloody Friday massacre, serving as stark reminders of state violence. These communities are often subjected to extreme torture, inadequate investigations into the violence, and severe repression.
Even children are not spared, with cases of severe punishment reported for minors, often resulting in tragic consequences. The FFMI articulates the alarming trend of state violence against youth involved in protests, with documented instances of torture and excessive force.
On the digital front, the Iranian government’s push for surveillance and control extends to cyber-repression. Activists and journalists, especially those abroad, have faced targeted threats and violence, signifying that the regime’s reach knows no borders.
In light of these grave findings, the FFMI calls for the Human Rights Council to set up an independent investigative body to maintain oversight of ongoing abuses and to pursue accountability for historical and current crimes in Iran. This new entity should focus on documenting violations against vulnerable groups, safeguarding evidence for prosecutions, and supporting the international justice efforts to ensure victims can pursue justice effectively.
The UN’s FFMI report reveals systematic human rights abuses in Iran, including murder, torture, and repression following the 2022 protests. Targeted oppression of women and minorities is rampant, with a shocking increase in the death penalty and torture tactics in detention. The report calls for an independent investigative body to ensure accountability for ongoing and past crimes against humanity.
The UN’s report paints a harrowing picture of ongoing human rights abuses in Iran, accusing the government of crimes against humanity and highlighting the severe repression faced by women, minorities, and political dissidents. With documented violence, arbitrary arrests, and rampant violations of basic human rights, the call for an independent body to investigate these claims has become imperative. The continuation of oppressive practices indicates a dire need for international accountability and support for victims seeking justice.
Original Source: iranhumanrights.org
