UN Human Rights Council Special Session to address the deteriorating Human Rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 23 January 2026

Mr President,

We thank the Fact-Finding Mission and the Special Rapporteur for their powerful statements today.

The Iranian authorities' horrific response has claimed thousands of lives. Many more protesters - exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly - remain detained…their fates unclear. Iran's abhorrent use of the death penalty continues - on average, around six people are executed every day in Iran.

We do not know the full scale of the violence and killing. The internet blackout imposed on 8 January prevented crucial communications and the full documentation of violations. Restrictions remain in place today.

We should be clear - the scale of this horrendous killing is shocking, but the authorities' response is not. We all remember previous devastating crackdowns, including in 2009, 2019 and 2022. It is time to end these cycles of repression.

It takes true bravery to speak out in the face of an authority prepared to fire at its own people. This is especially true of women, and those from religious and ethnic minorities, who continue to face severe repression in their daily lives.

The Iranian authorities must be held accountable. This is why the Fact-Finding Mission must be renewed today. We stand firmly with the Iranian people in their pursuit of justice.

Thank you.