The International Organisation to Preserve Human Rights (IOPHR) expresses its deepest alarm at the unprecedented and escalating human rights catastrophe unfolding in Iran since the nationwide protests began 28th December 2025.
Over recent weeks, Iran has witnessed one of the deadliest crackdowns against civilians in its modern history. Verified international reporting confirms that thousands of peaceful protesters have been killed by Iranian security forces. Independent human rights organisations have documented widespread unlawful killings, mass arrests, enforced disappearances, and the systematic obstruction of communication channels designed to conceal state violence.
However, unofficial sources from inside the country paint an even more horrifying picture, with estimates suggesting that the true death toll may exceed 50,000 people. These accounts, shared at great personal risk by individuals within Iran, indicate that the scale of state violence is far beyond what can currently be verified due to deliberate internet shutdowns, intimidation of families, and the regime’s efforts to hide the bodies of victims. This aligns with multiple international reports noting that the real number of deaths is likely significantly higher than confirmed figures.
IOPHR condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the Iranian authorities’ systematic use of lethal force against unarmed civilians, including women, children, and young people who have taken to the streets demanding dignity, justice, and fundamental freedoms. Verified investigations have already documented mass killings, including the targeting of teenagers and the coercion of families to remain silent about the deaths of their loved ones.
The international community must recognise that what is occurring in Iran is not a series of isolated abuses but a state‑engineered massacre. The scale, coordination, and brutality of the crackdown constitute clear violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. UN bodies and global human rights organisations have already called for independent investigations and urgent accountability mechanisms.
IOPHR urgently calls for:
- An immediate end to the killing of civilians and the release of all political prisoners and detainees.
- Full restoration of internet and communication access to allow the world to witness the truth and enable families to locate missing loved ones.
- An independent international investigation, mandated by the United Nations, into the mass killings, disappearances, and torture of protesters.
- Coordinated diplomatic action, including targeted sanctions against those responsible for ordering and carrying out these atrocities.
- Protection for Iranian civil society, activists, journalists, and human rights defenders who continue to risk their lives to expose the truth.
The people of Iran have shown extraordinary courage in the face of overwhelming violence. Their voices must not be silenced by bullets, censorship, or fear. The world has a moral obligation to stand with them and to ensure that those responsible for these crimes are held fully accountable.
IOPHR will continue to document, advocate, and amplify the truth until justice is served and the Iranian people’s fundamental rights are restored.