For several days, Iran has been experiencing a new wave of demonstrations and strikes, originating in urban centers and commercial areas and subsequently echoed by student mobilizations. These gatherings, largely driven by the collapse of purchasing power and the continuous deterioration of living conditions, also express a deeper aspiration for dignity, freedom, and political participation. The slogans voiced, the closure of shops, and the growing presence of young people in public spaces illustrate the persistence of democratic demands that run across Iranian society.
Available information indicates an increased deployment of security forces, the use of tear gas, targeted violence, and arrests. In a country where the repression of protests has previously resulted in hundreds of deaths, arbitrary detentions, and unfair trials, these signals are deeply alarming. The international community cannot view these events as merely an “internal” or “temporary” crisis. They raise fundamental human rights concerns: the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, protection from torture and ill-treatment, and the right to life.
We call on the Iranian authorities to immediately comply with their obligations under international law, in particular by guaranteeing freedom of peaceful assembly and refraining from the use of unlawful or disproportionate force. Any arrest must respect fundamental safeguards: notification of reasons, access to a lawyer, information of family members, and the right to a fair trial. Individuals detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights must be released unconditionally. We also urge the authorities to refrain from shutting down or restricting internet access, a measure often used to obstruct the documentation of abuses and isolate the population.
We urge the international community, including the United Nations, Member States, and regional and international human rights protection mechanisms, to provide clear, coherent, and effective support to the democratic demands expressed by the Iranian people. Such support must go beyond symbolic or declaratory gestures and translate into concrete and measurable actions.
In this regard, we call for:
Enhanced diplomatic engagement, including clear and unambiguous public statements condemning any form of violent repression, the excessive use of force, and the arbitrary arrest of peaceful protesters.
Strengthening international investigative and monitoring mechanisms to independently document human rights violations, preserve evidence, identify chains of responsibility, and combat persistent impunity.
Activation of accountability mechanisms, including targeted measures consistent with international law against individuals and entities involved in serious violations, particularly those affecting the right to life, physical integrity, and liberty.
Effective protection for human rights defenders, journalists, students, and witnesses, including international protection measures, safe asylum pathways, and access to emergency mechanisms when their safety or lives are at risk.
Supporting the democratic demands of the Iranian people does not mean speaking on their behalf or instrumentalizing their struggle. It means recognizing the universality and indivisibility of human rights and acting so that those who peacefully claim freedom, justice, and dignity can do so without fear of imprisonment, torture, or death.
International solidarity must be firm, coherent, and grounded in human rights. It must aim to protect life, secure the release of arbitrarily detained persons, end state violence, and open a safe civic space in which Iranian society can freely determine its future.
31 December 2025
Zagros Human Rights Center
