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UN Expresses 'Horror' Over Violent Suppression of Protests in Iran

Published January 13, 2026, 12:13
UN Expresses 'Horror' Over Violent Suppression of Protests in Iran

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expresses “horror” at the suppression of protests in Iran and the death of more than 600 people. He condemns the use of violence against peaceful protesters and describes as unacceptable the tactic of Iranian authorities to label them “terrorists” to justify the repression. Mr. Türk emphasizes that the Iranian people have the right to protest peacefully and that their demands must be heard and taken into account, without being instrumentalized by anyone. He calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately stop all forms of violence and repression, to restore access to the internet and telecommunications, and to hold those responsible for human rights violations accountable. According to the non-governmental organization Iran Human Rights (IHR), the suppression of the protest movement that began in December has led to the deaths of 648 protesters and the arrest of 10,000 people. The organization reports that the actual number of deaths may be much higher, reaching even 6,000 cases, however the information remains unconfirmed. Mr. Türk concludes by emphasizing that the cycle of violence must stop and that the Iranian people's demands for equality and justice must be heard.