The UN Human Rights Council will hold an emergency session on Iran on Friday, Jan 23, to address reports of violence against protesters. At least 5,000 deaths have been verified by Iranian authorities, marking the largest demonstrations since 2022.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The session was requested by a group of countries, including Iceland, Germany, and Britain, citing "alarming violence" and violations of international human rights law. 21 countries have so far supported the proposal, according to the UN.
UN rights chief Volker Turk condemned the violence, while Human Rights Watch called for an existing UN probe to investigate the deaths and receive additional funding.
Deeper Dive & Context
Official Responses and Allegations
Iran’s diplomatic mission did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, diplomats reported that Iran has rebutted allegations of a crackdown, stating that clashes followed armed attacks on security forces.
Background on Protests
The protests are the largest in Iran since 2022, with reports of mass killings and crackdowns on demonstrators. The UN council previously established a probe in 2022 following earlier protests, which is now being urged to expand its investigations.
International Reactions
Human Rights Watch has denounced the killings as unlawful, while proponents of the emergency session argue that the situation requires urgent attention due to its severity and scale.