42 organizations have urged the UN to renew the mandate of the special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, highlighting ongoing gross violations, including actions that amount to crimes against humanity. Reports demonstrate the necessity for international investigative efforts amid a deteriorating human rights situation in Iran, particularly affecting women and minorities.
The United Nations Human Rights Council is urged to renew the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran and maintain an international investigative mechanism. These calls come from 42 Iranian and international human rights organizations in a letter dated March 18, 2025. Reports from both the fact-finding mission and the special rapporteur, presented on the same date, highlight ongoing gross violations of human rights in Iran, with many actions constituting crimes against humanity.
According to Hilary Power, UN Geneva director at Human Rights Watch, the reports outline a severe human rights crisis in Iran. She emphasizes the necessity for a strong response from the Human Rights Council, noting that with no prospects for justice inside Iran, the ongoing mandates are essential for accountability and supporting victims and survivors seeking justice.
Since its establishment in 2011, the UN special rapporteur is responsible for monitoring a broad scope of human rights violations in Iran. It issues urgent appeals to safeguard individuals at risk, particularly those facing imminent execution. The fact-finding mission was initiated in November 2022 to investigate rights violations amid protests triggered by the death of Jina Mahsa Amini while in custody of the morality police.
The fact-finding mission’s first report in March 2024 documented serious human rights abuses linked to the Iranian authorities’ crackdown on “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, identifying acts of murder, torture, and sexual violence, among other crimes. As of 2025, the mission affirmed that these violations continue without cessation.
The human rights climate in Iran has severely declined, marked by over 900 executions in 2024. The use of the death penalty against children contradicts international law and is utilized for political repression against women and minority activism. The pervasive discrimination and violence against these groups remain alarmingly systemic.
Instead of addressing violations, the Iranian authorities have intensified persecution against victims’ families and those pursuing truth and justice. This pattern of repression now extends beyond Iran’s borders, with increased harassment of dissidents and journalists abroad, known as transnational repression, escalating threats to their safety.
The ongoing call for the renewal of the UN special rapporteur’s mandate and the continuation of an independent investigatory mechanism highlights the alarming human rights violations in Iran. With persistent breaches of international law, particularly concerning executions and political repression, the situation demands urgent and robust international attention. Supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable is essential to address the systemic issues within Iran’s human rights crisis.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
