On the night of January 8, internet and mobile connectivity were cut, severely restricting access to information as violence escalated. The protests began on December 28 following the sudden collapse of Iran’s national currency and have since spread to at least 46 cities across the country.
As of January 7, more than 40 people – including at least five children – have reportedly been killed in several provinces, including Qom, Yasuj, Kermanshah, Ilam and Lorestan. Iran’s parliament has also reported deaths among members of the security forces.
Respect fundamental human rights
“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 protest peacefully, and to do so without oppressive violence, intimidation or repression by the State,” the press release states.
“Underlines that threats or acts of unilateral military intervention by third states are contrary to international law.”
The Fact-Finding Mission urged the Iranian authorities to defend the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression and to unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained for engaging in protected conduct.
He said he was reviewing video footage and photographs showing security forces opening fire on protesters. Video images also showed people setting fire to buildings and vehicles on public roads.
The Fact-Finding Mission also expressed concern about the use of force in ethnic minority regions, where reports indicate particularly brutal responses. In one incident, security forces allegedly raided a hospital in Ilam, fired tear gas and beat patients and medical staff.
She noted that the current crackdown reflects patterns documented during the 2022 “Women, Life, Freedom” protests, which erupted following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman arrested for allegedly violating mandatory hijab laws. Those protests were marked by accusations of serious human rights violations and systemic impunity.
The fact-finding mission
Established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2022, the Fact-Finding Mission is mandated to investigate alleged human rights violations in Iran related to protests that began in September 2022, particularly those affecting women and children.
Its mandate was extended in April 2025 for a further year to examine allegations of recent and ongoing serious human rights violations.