UN Expert Urges Iran to Halt Crackdown on Protesters Amid Escalating Regional Tensions

A United Nations human rights expert has called on Iranian authorities to immediately halt the excessive use of force against civilians, release detainees arrested for exercising fundamental freedoms and restore unrestricted internet access, as tensions and unrest intensify across the country.

Presenting her latest report to the UN Human Rights Council, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran Mai Sato warned that the situation has sharply deteriorated amid nationwide protests and growing military escalation in the region.

"As military tensions escalate, Iranian authorities must immediately end their excessive use of force against civilians and release all those detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms," Sato said.

She also urged authorities to restore internet access and allow civil society organisations to continue their human rights work without interference.

Protests Spread Across Iran

Sato's report examines the human rights impact of nationwide protests that began on 28 December 2025, which she described as one of the most significant waves of civil unrest in recent years.

According to the Special Rapporteur, the UN received an unprecedented number of submissions documenting alleged abuses.

"The scale of concern was unprecedented," Sato said.

"Many submissions came from individuals with no prior history of activism who shared their experiences at considerable personal risk."

The protests reportedly spread across the country and drew participation from a broad cross-section of Iranian society.

"They reached every corner of the country," she said, describing a movement driven by people seeking political and social change.

Reports of Violent Crackdowns

Testimonies gathered by the UN describe security forces using lethal and excessive force against protesters, including children.

Reports indicate that demonstrators were:

• Shot at close range

• Severely beaten by security forces

• Arbitrarily detained in large numbers

According to the report, tens of thousands of people were arrested during the protests.

Those detained reportedly include medical professionals, lawyers and minors.

Many detainees were allegedly:

• Held incommunicado

• Denied access to legal representation

• Subjected to forced confessions broadcast on state television

Some detainees, including children, are reportedly facing the death penalty.

Hospitals and Families Also Targeted

The report also describes alleged raids by security forces on hospitals where wounded protesters sought treatment.

Medical personnel were reportedly assaulted, and injured protesters arrested from medical facilities.

Families of victims have also described pressure from authorities to remain silent, as well as interference with memorial gatherings for those killed.

"Their grief is compounded by state intimidation and the denial of truth," Sato said.

Evidence of Systemic Violations

According to the Special Rapporteur, the violations documented in the report appear to reflect systemic patterns rather than isolated incidents.

These include:

• Failure to investigate allegations of excessive force

• Increasing reliance on security forces to suppress civilian protests

• Expansion of surveillance and state control

Sato also noted a sharp rise in executions in 2025, including for drug-related, homicide and security offences, with the trend continuing into 2026.

Military Escalation Worsens Humanitarian Situation

The report warns that the situation has further deteriorated following military strikes attributed to Israel and the United States, which occurred after the report had been finalised.

According to available information, the attacks have resulted in:

• More than 1,000 civilian deaths

• Damage to a primary school

• Destruction affecting several UNESCO World Heritage sites

Strikes on oil infrastructure have also reportedly caused toxic black rainfall, raising serious environmental and health concerns.

The World Health Organization has warned that the pollution could lead to long-term public health consequences.

Internet Shutdown and Mass Displacement

Authorities have imposed nationwide telecommunications shutdowns, first during the protests and again following the military escalation.

The shutdowns have severely restricted access to information and communication.

Meanwhile, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that between 600,000 and one million Iranian households—up to 3.2 million people—have been temporarily displaced within the country.

Many have fled Tehran and other major cities amid escalating tensions.

Growing Concerns Over Prison Conditions

The Special Rapporteur also raised alarm about conditions in Iran's prisons.

Tens of thousands of detainees linked to the protests are reportedly being held in facilities where access to the outside world is increasingly restricted.

"I am deeply concerned about the welfare of those in custody and the heightened risk of violations in the absence of independent scrutiny," Sato said.

Call for Diplomacy and International Accountability

Sato urged all parties involved in the regional conflict to prioritise diplomacy and civilian protection.

"If we put the people of Iran at the heart of any solution, the military escalation must stop and all parties must resume diplomatic dialogue immediately," she said.

She also reiterated her request to visit Iran to independently assess the human rights situation, noting that Iranian authorities have not yet granted permission.

"A visit is now more necessary than ever," Sato said.