The UN Human Rights Council will hold an emergency session on Iran this Friday, with member states aiming to tackle what they describe as “alarming violence” against protesters, according to Reuters.
An Iranian official confirmed that authorities have verified at least 5,000 deaths in the protests—the largest demonstrations since 2022—leading UN rights chief Volker Turk to denounce the violence.
“A special session is needed because of the importance and urgency of the situation, in particular due to credible reports of alarming violence, crackdowns on protesters and violations of international human rights law across the country,” according to a letter written by Iceland’s ambassador Einar Gunnarsson on behalf of a group of countries including Germany and Britain, and seen by Reuters.
The UN confirmed that the special session will take place on Friday, noting that 21 countries have already endorsed the proposal.
Human Rights Watch condemned mass unlawful killings and urged the U.N. probe, created in 2022 after the last protests, to investigate the deaths and take additional funding.
Iran’s diplomatic mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Diplomats said Tehran circulated rebuttals to foreign missions, dismissing allegations of a crackdown and insisting the clashes came on the heels of armed attacks on security forces.
Related Topics:
Iran Protests: Trump Renews Intervention Threats amid Rising Death Toll
Tear Gas Clouds Tehran as Iran Protests Escalate over Economic Crisis
Iran Protests Turn Deadly as Economic Unrest Sparks Clashes
