GENEVA - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday said he was horrified by the mounting violence directed by security forces at protesters across Iran, as reports indicate hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested.
The High Commissioner urged the Iranian authorities to halt immediately all forms of violence and repression against peaceful protesters and to restore full access to the internet and telecommunication services. He also called for accountability for the serious violations.
"The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop, and the labelling of protesters as 'terrorists' to justify violence against them is unacceptable," Türk said.
"As we saw most recently in 2022, broad sections of the Iranian population have taken to the streets, demanding fundamental changes in the governance of their country," he added. "And once again, the authorities' reaction is to inflict brutal force to repress legitimate demands for change."
"This cycle of horrific violence cannot continue. The Iranian people and their demands for fairness, equality and justice must be heard," said the High Commissioner, adding that all killings, violence against protesters, and other human rights violations must be investigated in line with international human rights norms and standards, and those responsible held to account.
Several hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed by the number of casualties, including children. Nationwide internet and telecommunications shutdowns are one of the main challenges to full verification. There are reports indicating that members of security forces have also been killed.
"It also extremely worrying to see public statements by some judicial officials indicating the possibility of the death penalty being used against protesters through expedited judicial proceedings" Türk added.
Since 8 January, Iranian authorities have imposed a nationwide internet shutdown, affecting Iranians' rights to freedom of expression and access to information, disrupting emergency and lifesaving services and obstructing independent human rights monitoring.
"Iranians have the right to demonstrate peacefully. Their grievances need to be heard and addressed, and not instrumentalised by anyone," Türk added.
