On 23 January 2026, the 47 members of the U.N. Human Rights Council met in Geneva, Switzerland in a Special Session devoted to the violent repression of protests in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The session began with a call by Volker Turk, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights for the release of detainees, a halt to the implementation of death sentences, and the adoption of serious steps in response to human rights violations. He stressed that "These protests are the latest in a long line of heartfelt calls by the Iranian people for change, met by a long line of violent repression by the Iranian authorities."
Ms Mai Sato, the U.N. Special Raporteur on Iran highlighted the large number of protesters killed, including youth and children. She called upon the authorities of Iran to act in compliance with international human rights standards. She voiced alarm about "the unprecedented scale of the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters by security forces."
A number of government representatives noted the difficulties of following the current situation due to the cutting off of internet and other forms of communication.
Iran's Ambassador Ali Bahreini said that the Special Session of the Council had been "politicized" and that Iran rejected the discussion as "external interference in internal affairs."
Icelnd's Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson presented the resolution of the Session saying that "the victims and survivors deserve truth, justice, and accountability." The resolution which extends the mandate for two years of the U.N. Fact-Finding Mission, first established after the 2022 protests, was accepted with 25 States in favor, 7 against (China, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cuba, Iraq) and 14 abstentions).
Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) now have the difficult task of calling on the Iranian government to stop arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The situation in Iran must be watched as closely as possible and encouragement given to good faith negotiations.
René Wadlow, Association of World Citizens
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