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UN Human Rights Council to Hold Emergency Session on Iran

Published January 20, 2026, 12:35
UN Human Rights Council to Hold Emergency Session on Iran

The UN Human Rights Council will hold an emergency session on the situation in Iran on Friday, due to the escalating violence against protesters. An Iranian official reports at least 5,000 deaths in the protests, the largest since 2022, while the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has condemned the violence. The session was proposed by a group of countries, including Germany and the UK, and has received support from 21 nations. Human Rights Watch is calling for a thorough investigation into the mass killings and additional funding for the existing UN investigation. The Iranian diplomatic mission has not responded to requests for comment. This session highlights the growing international concern over the human rights situation in Iran.