Iran: UN human rights chief ‘deeply disturbed’ by protest-related violence

In a statement Volker Türk said on Friday he was “deeply disturbed” by the violence reported during the nearly two-week demonstrations, stressing that those responsible for any violations must be held accountable in line with international human rights standards.

In the last days of December 2025, people took to the streets in the capital Tehran, fueled by the country’s cost of living crisis. Rights groups have reported that nearly 50 people have been killed and hundreds arrested.

To prevent further escalation, Mr Türk said it is essential to address the underlying grievances by “inclusive and meaningful dialogue.”

Information blackout

Multiple news media reported nationwide internet and communications outages in Iran on Thursday evening.

Mr Türk said such actions undermine freedom of expression and access to information. There was a near-total news blackout on Friday.

It also negatively affects the work of those documenting human rights violations and access to essential services and emergency services, he added.

In response to a question during the Friday afternoon briefing, U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said U.N. staff on the ground “are safe and accounted for.”

How is the right to protest enshrined in international law?

In 1948, when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted, the international community agreed that “everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association,” as set out in Article 20 of the Declaration.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also recognizes the right to peacefully assemble in Article 21. An illuminating document, General comment no. 37published in 2020 by the UN Human Rights Committee, provides a more comprehensive interpretation.

Both Mr Türk and Mr Dujarric reiterated on Friday that peaceful demonstrations are a fundamental human right.