GENEVA - UN experts* today expressed alarm over the crackdown in the Islamic Republic of Iran since hostilities began on 13 June 2025 and the subsequent ceasefire.
"Post-conflict situations must not be used as an opportunity to suppress dissent and increase repression," the experts said. Acknowledging the impact of unlawful military attacks by Israel and the United States of America, the experts nevertheless expressed concern over reports of executions, enforced disappearaces, and mass arrests.
Since 13 June 2025, at least six individuals have reportedly been executed on charges of "espionage for Israel", including three Kurdish men. Hundreds of individuals, including social media users, journalists, human rights defenders, foreign nationals-particularly Afghans-and members of ethnic and religious minorities such as Baha'is, Kurds, Balouchis and Ahwazi Arabs, have been detained on accusations of "collaboration" or "espionage". Those detained include human rights defender Hossein Ronaghi and his brother. Meanwhile, Swedish-Iranian researcher Ahmadreza Djalali faces imminent execution with his whereabouts unknown. The conflict has also substantially exacerbated Afghan deportations from Iran, with 256,000 returned in June alone amid serious refoulement concerns.
The experts expressed alarm at official statements announcing expedited trials on accusations of espionage, putting individuals at heightened risk of summary execution or punishment without adequate due process.
They also found equally concerning reports of incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence in the media, which have labelled entire minority communities as traitors and used dehumanising language such as "filthy rats." This rhetoric in state-linked Persian and Arabic media outlets has reportedly included calls for surveillance, and killing of Baha'is, echoing the 1988 atrocities.
The experts warned that Iran's Parliament is concurrently advancing legislation that would classify intelligence or espionage activities carried out for "hostile Governments" as "corruption on earth"-an offence punishable by death.
"Criminalising the sharing of information in broad language violates the rights to freedom of expression and information," the experts said. "This legislation also represents a worrying expansion of the death penalty that violates international human rights law."
The experts urged the international community to prioritise sustained support to Iranian civil society actors, including technical and financial assistance to independent media outlets and human rights groups. "The survival of civic space depends on the ability to document human rights violations, preserve collective memory, and coordinate action, which is essential during this critical period," they said.
They also condemned the deteriorating conditions faced by prisoners transferred from Evin Prison after Israeli attacks on its facilities. Prisoners were reportedly moved to the Great Tehran Penitentiary and to Qarchak Prison and held in abysmal conditions. The fate and whereabouts of some prisoners remain unknown, placing them outside the protection of the law-a situation that amounts to enforced disappearances.
"Following the ceasefire, the world is watching closely to see how Iranian authorities treat their own people. This will be a defining measure of the country's commitment to human rights and the rule of law," the experts said.
"Iran must not allow history to repeat itself by resorting to the same dark patterns of repression that have devastated its people in previous post-conflict periods."
The experts have been in contact with Iranian authorities on this issue.
