Published on: 2026-04-29
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed deep concern about the intensification of repression against dissent in Iran, stating that the rights of all citizens of the country must be fully respected.
According to him, the Iranian authorities continue to suppress criticism, including by using accusations related to national security. According to available data, at least 21 people have been executed, and thousands arrested.
Executions and arrests against the backdrop of the conflict
Since the beginning of the strikes by Israel and the USA on Iran two months ago, nine people were executed in connection with the January 2026 protests, another ten – for alleged participation in opposition groups, and two – on charges of espionage.
“I am shocked that, in addition to the already severe consequences of the conflict, the authorities continue to deprive Iranians of their rights – harshly and mercilessly,” said Tyurk.
He emphasized that even in conditions of war, restrictions on rights are permissible only under strict necessity, proportionality, and the presence of a lawful objective.
“Fundamental rights, such as protection against arbitrary detention and the right to a fair trial, must be observed unconditionally and always,” the Commissioner noted.
The UN representative called on the authorities to stop executions, introduce a moratorium on the death penalty, ensure compliance with procedural guarantees, and immediately release those arbitrarily detained.
Risks of abuse and torture
The UN notes that the broad and vague definition of crimes against national security in Iran endangers the lives of many people, including children. The accused are often denied access to lawyers of their choice and are subjected to expedited judicial procedures. Reports also mention torture and cruel treatment. In several cases, including death sentences, convictions were based on confessions obtained under duress.
Since February 28, according to estimates, more than 4,000 people have been detained on charges related to national security. Many of them have been subjected to violent disappearances, torture, and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, including forced confessions—sometimes broadcast on television—and staged executions.
Representatives of ethnic and religious minorities, including Baloch, Zoroastrians, Kurds, and Beluchis, are at particular risk. The whereabouts of dozens of detainees are unknown, and information about their fate is absent. Among them is human rights defender and lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh.
Conditions of detention and cases of violence
“The conditions of detention in Iranian prisons are extremely harsh,” Turk noted, pointing to overcrowding, lack of food supplies, water, medicines, and problems with providing medical care.
Particular concern is caused by the condition of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nargiz Mousa Ammadi, who remains in detention. According to available data, her health has deteriorated following a heart attack.
In the Chaldabar prison, protests by inmates demanding the resumption of food distribution after a long interruption were suppressed with the use of deadly force: according to reports, at least five people died, and another 21 were injured. In another facility, two inmates died in custody, with signs of torture present.
Pressure and disconnection of the Internet
The military commissioner also pointed to the use of mass confiscation of property as a tool of pressure. According to available data, authorities confiscated assets of 675 citizens, including 400 Iranians living abroad, accusing them of “betrayal” and cooperation with “hostile groups.”
The new financial monitoring system “Sahm” allows tracking and withdrawing citizens’ assets electronically throughout the country.
Moreover, the internet in Iran has been practically completely disconnected for 61 days already – this is one of the longest and most extensive blackout cases in the world.
“This deprives people of access to vital information, drowns out independent voices, and causes serious social and economic harm,” emphasized Türc, calling for immediate restoration of access to the network.
The UN warns that the ongoing conflict exacerbates an already severe humanitarian and economic situation in the country.
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