UN Human Rights Chief Condemns “Horrific Violence” as Iran Unrest Spreads Amid Economic Collapse
The High Commissioner concluded by affirming that Iranians have a fundamental right to demonstrate peacefully and that their grievances regarding fairness, equality, and justice must be addressed rather than suppressed.
RMN News Human Rights Desk
New Delhi | January 14, 2026
GENEVA – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed horror on Tuesday regarding the mounting violence directed at protesters across Iran, where reports indicate hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested. The unrest, which began on December 28, 2025, was initially sparked by a catastrophic economic failure, including skyrocketing inflation and the collapse of the Iranian rial to a record low of 1.4 million to the US dollar.
What started as a shopkeeper strike in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar has rapidly transformed into a nationwide movement, with demonstrations spreading to more than 100 cities across all 31 Iranian provinces. High Commissioner Türk stated that broad sections of the population are demanding fundamental changes in governance, yet the authorities have responded by inflicting brutal force to repress these “legitimate demands”.
[ Special Report: The Iranian Economic Uprising and the Global Shift Toward Radical Dissent ]
The UN has called for an immediate end to the killing of peaceful demonstrators, noting that the labeling of protesters as “terrorists” to justify state violence is unacceptable. Reports suggest that several hospitals are currently overwhelmed by the volume of casualties, which include children. To further complicate the situation, Iranian authorities imposed a nationwide internet and telecommunications shutdown on January 8, which has obstructed independent human rights monitoring and disrupted lifesaving services.
Beyond the immediate physical violence, the UN expressed extreme concern over statements from judicial officials suggesting that the death penalty may be used against protesters through expedited legal proceedings. Türk emphasized that this “cycle of horrific violence cannot continue” and insisted that those responsible for human rights violations must be held to account under international standards.
The High Commissioner concluded by affirming that Iranians have a fundamental right to demonstrate peacefully and that their grievances regarding fairness, equality, and justice must be addressed rather than suppressed.
