ASIATODAY.ID, TEHRAN — The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has voiced grave concern over escalating violence linked to nationwide protests in Iran, calling for an independent and transparent international investigation into reports of killings, mass arrests, and alleged excessive use of force by security forces.
In a statement released on Friday, January 9, 2026, UN rights chief Volker Türk said he was “deeply disturbed” by developments over nearly two weeks of demonstrations that have shaken the country, particularly in the capital, Tehran.
Protests erupted in late December 2025, driven largely by Iran’s worsening cost-of-living crisis, with citizens taking to the streets to voice anger over soaring prices, unemployment, and economic mismanagement.
Human rights organizations report that nearly 50 people have been killed, while hundreds more have been arrested across multiple provinces.
Türk stressed that all alleged violations must be investigated and that those responsible should be held accountable in line with international human rights law.
“To prevent further escalation, it is essential to address the underlying grievances through inclusive and meaningful dialogue,” Türk said.
Nationwide Internet Blackout Raises Alarm
Concerns intensified after multiple media outlets reported widespread internet and communications shutdowns across Iran starting Thursday night, resulting in what observers described as a near-total information blackout by Friday.
According to Türk, such measures severely undermine freedom of expression and access to information, while also obstructing efforts to document potential human rights violations.
“These shutdowns hinder access to essential and emergency services and impede the work of journalists and human rights defenders,” he warned.
Responding to questions during the UN’s noon briefing on Friday, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that UN personnel on the ground remain safe and fully accounted for.
Protesting Is a Fundamental Human Right
UN officials reiterated that peaceful protest is protected under international law.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted in 1948, guarantees the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association under Article 20. This protection is further reinforced by Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
In 2020, the UN Human Rights Committee clarified these protections through General Comment No. 37, emphasizing that states must facilitate—not suppress—peaceful demonstrations.
Both Türk and Dujarric underscored that demonstrating peacefully is not a privilege granted by governments, but a fundamental human right. (AT Network)
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