Internet and mobile connectivity were cut off on the evening of January 8, severely limiting access to information as the violence escalated. The protests began on December 28 following the sudden collapse of Iran’s national currency and have since spread to at least 46 cities across the country.
On January 7, more than forty people – including at least five children – were reportedly killed in several provinces, including Qom, Yasuj, Kermanshah, Ilam and Lorestan. Iran’s parliament has also reported fatalities among members of the security forces.
Respect basic human rights
“The fact-finding mission reiterates that Iranian women, men and children deserve to live in safety, dignity and with full respect for their rights, including the right to protest peacefully, and to do so without oppressive violence, intimidation or repression by the state,” the press release said.
“It underlines that threats or acts of unilateral military intervention by third states are contrary to international law.”
The fact-finding mission called on Iranian authorities to uphold the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression and to unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained for engaging in protected conduct.
It said it was reviewing video footage and photographs showing security forces opening fire on protesters. Video footage also showed individuals setting fire to buildings and vehicles on public streets.
The fact-finding mission also expressed concern about the use of force in ethnic minority regions, where reports indicate particularly brutal responses. In one incident, security forces reportedly raided a hospital in Ilam, firing tear gas and beating patients and medical staff.
It noted that the current crackdown mirrors patterns documented during the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, which erupted after the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman arrested for allegedly violating mandatory hijab laws. These protests were marked by allegations of gross human rights violations and systemic impunity.
The fact-finding mission
Founded by the UN Council for Human Rights in 2022, the Fact-Finding Mission will be mandated to investigate alleged human rights violations in Iran related to protests that began in September 2022, especially those against women and children.
His mandate was extended in April 2025 for a further year to investigate allegations of recent and ongoing serious human rights violations.
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