The UN Human Rights Council is urged to renew the mandate of the special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, as reports reveal ongoing severe violations. The special rapporteur’s work is vital in addressing the crisis, and a complementary international investigative mechanism is needed to pursue accountability amidst worsening human rights conditions in Iran.
The United Nations Human Rights Council must extend the mandate of the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran and maintain a complementary international investigative mechanism, according to a letter from 42 Iranian and international human rights organizations dated March 18, 2025. This initiative aims to build upon the work of the UN fact-finding mission established to document human rights violations in Iran.
Reports presented by the fact-finding mission and the special rapporteur revealed ongoing gross violations of human rights, some qualifying as crimes against humanity. These violations particularly affect women, girls, minorities, and justice-seeking victims in Iran. Hilary Power, UN Geneva director at Human Rights Watch, highlighted the necessity of these investigations due to the lack of justice within Iran, stating that they provide crucial paths toward accountability for those seeking remedy.
Since its inception in 2011, the UN special rapporteur on Iran has been instrumental in monitoring various human rights violations, issuing urgent warnings to safeguard individuals at grave risk. The fact-finding mission, established in November 2022, was triggered by the state’s aggressive response to protests following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman arrested for not adhering to compulsory veiling laws. It aims to hold the state accountable for severe human rights violations.
In its initial report in March 2024, the fact-finding mission elucidated serious human rights abuses amid the authorities’ crackdown on protests advocating for “Woman, Life, Freedom.” These abuses included murder, torture, and systemic discrimination against women, minorities, and other groups. In its follow-up report in 2025, it was confirmed that such crimes persisted without mitigation.
The human rights situation in Iran has markedly worsened, with over 900 executions reported in 2024. The use of the death penalty against children and as a tool for political repression has raised significant concerns. Systematic discrimination against women and minorities continues unabated, while the regime’s refusal to acknowledge or remedy these violations perpetuates a cycle of violence and repression, extending even to dissidents beyond its borders.
In summary, the ongoing human rights crisis in Iran necessitates the renewal of the UN special rapporteur’s mandate. Strong recommendations for a comprehensive international investigatory mechanism underscore the gravity of the human rights situation, characterized by severe abuses and impunity. Continuous support and accountability measures are essential for justice-seeking individuals facing persecution both within and outside Iran.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
