Human rights Council: published report on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran between January 2025 and February 2026

This report scrutinizes the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran between January 2025 and February 2026. The nationwide protests starkly revealed the deep-seated and systemic nature of violations of human rights in the Country, including the excessive use of lethal force against those exercising fundamental freedoms, the strategic weaponization of digital infrastructure to both suppress dissent and conceal the extent of repression, the undermining of medical neutrality, and the systemic evasion of accountability through intimidation and secrecy. The breadth and impact of the state's response, encompassed by the thousands killed and tens of thousands detained, are unprecedented. However, this extreme response is merely the most severe manifestation of patterns that have developed over decades. 

In January and February 2026, the situation in Iran further deteriorated following military strikes launched by Israel and the United States. These actions have been strongly condemned by the Rapporteur as unlawful under the UN Charter. A call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomatic dialogue has been made, with specific attention to reports of significant civilian casualties and assaults on medical facilities. Such attacks are blatant violations of both international humanitarian law and human rights law. The Rapporteur emphasizes that unlawful military interventions are not a viable resolution to the human rights crises in Iran. Any proposed path forward must be grounded in the rule of law, the genuine will of the Iranian people, and a full commitment to accountability. 

In the recommendations, the Rapporteur urges Iran to undertake immediate, concrete, and verifiable steps to rectify the documented violations. In particular, Iran must release all individuals detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Moreover, it must cease all forms of interference with healthcare services and personnel, end all internet and telecommunications shutdowns, curb the utilization of digital infrastructure for surveillance and repression, conduct transparent investigations into reported killings and injuries, secure access to justice and reparation for victims and their families, and halt public executions are essential steps. Additionally, the Iranian authorities must guarantee equal treatment under the law for all, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political affiliations, and protect the rights of minorities for cultural and religious expression. Transnational repression targeting Iranian diaspora members and their relatives within Iran must be stopped. Any retaliatory use of force must strictly adhere to international law's principles of necessity and proportionality, and good-faith diplomatic initiatives should be pursued for peaceful resolution of disputes.

States are urged to protect individuals affected by protests and extend financial and logistical support to civil society organizations documenting violations and protecting evidence crucial for accountability processes. Ensuring that mechanisms assessing Iran's human rights situation are adequately funded is vital. Moreover, sanctions must include effective humanitarian exemptions applied on a broad, practical scale to minimize adverse impacts on Iranians, ensuring their access to essential medicines, medical equipment, and goods. Finally, all states are called upon to cease military strikes against Iran and desist from further unlawful uses of force, ensuring diplomatic or nuclear negotiations respect international law and the human rights of Iran's population.