GENEVA – The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran today called on the Iranian Government to immediately restore internet and mobile connectivity and end its violent crackdown of the ongoing, nationwide protest.

As demonstrations enter a third week, the Fact-Finding Mission calls on State authorities to immediately desist from any unnecessary and disproportionate use of lethal force, and adhere to international human rights law in its response to the nation’s ongoing protests. The Fact-Finding Mission is alarmed by credible information indicating that the Supreme National Security Council issued a statement ordering the security forces to wage a “decisive” crackdown without showing any restraint to bring the protests to an end.

Amid reports of escalating violence over the last two weeks, the internet was shut down, and a total communications blackout began on the evening of 8 January. The Fact-Finding Mission urges authorities in Iran to uphold the rights of peaceful assembly and to freedom of expression and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained for exercising protected conduct.

The Fact-Finding Mission is reviewing open-source materials, including video footage and photos of the reported violence, which show security forces opening fire on protesters. Video footage also showed individuals setting fire to buildings and vehicles in public streets.

The current protests, which began on 28 December, followed the sudden collapse of Iran’s national currency and have now expanded to at least 46 cities. As of 7 January, over 40 people, most of them men, including at least five children, have reportedly been killed in several provinces across Iran, including Qom, Yasuj, Kermanshah, Ilam and Lorestan. Members of the security forces have also allegedly been killed, according to Iran’s parliament.

The Fact-Finding Mission further notes reports of use of force violations in ethnic minority regions, including Lorestan and Ilam. According to credible human rights organizations, in Lorestan and Ilam provinces, home of ethnic minorities, the State response was particularly brutal, with at least eight protesters killed in Lorestan and five others in Ilam. In one incident on 4 January, security forces allegedly raided the Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam, deploying tear gas and beating patients and medical personnel.

Reportedly, hundreds of protesters and bystanders have also been detained, including at least 113 children. State media has broadcast at least 40 “confessions” from detention facilities, including by a 16-year-old girl, raising critical concerns regarding due process and the treatment of detainees.

The current crackdown mirrors patterns previously documented by the Fact-Finding Mission in the context of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement including gross human rights violations, and a systemic lack of accountability and structural impunity for State officials involved.

The Fact-Finding Mission reiterates that Iranian women, men, and children deserve to live safely, with dignity, and with full respect for their rights, including the right to peacefully protest, and to do so without oppressive violence, intimidation or repression by the State. It underscores that threats or acts of unilateral military intervention by third states are contrary to international law.

ENDS

Background: The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran was established through resolution S35/1 by the UN Human Rights Council on 24 November 2022 to investigate alleged human rights violations in Iran related to the protests that began there on 16 September 2022, especially with respect to women and children. On 4 April 2024, the Council voted to extend the Fact-Finding Mission’s mandate for an additional year through resolution 55/19. On 3 April 2025, through resolution HRC/58/21, the Council extended the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission to investigate allegations of “recent and ongoing serious human rights violations in Iran” for a period of one year.

For media queries, please contact: In New York: Todd Pitman, Media Adviser for the UN Human Rights Council’s Investigative Bodies: [email protected] / +41766911761; in Geneva: Pascal Sim, Human Rights Council Media Officer: [email protected].

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