Iran: UN expert warns of escalating repression and record executions after June attacks
Press releases
Special Procedures
31 October 2025
NEW YORK -- The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mai Sato, today expressed deep concern that the end of the June hostilities had brought no relief to the people of Iran, who continue to face systematic repression.
"External aggression has fuelled deeper internal repression," Sato said. "The Iranian people's rights to life and liberty are under unprecedented threat."
In her report to the General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur noted that emergency measures introduced during the crisis had led to mass deportations of Afghan nationals, new legislation on espionage further restricting civil rights, and an intensified campaign of surveillance and mass arrests targeting activists, ethnic and religious minorities, and individuals accused of dissent or espionage.
The expert condemned the attacks carried out by Israel and the United States on Iran in June 2025, which she described as unlawful uses of force in violation of the UN Charter. She reported that the 12-day escalation killed more than 1,100 people, including women and children, and injured over 5,600. Civilian infrastructure was severely damaged, with strikes on residential areas, hospitals, and media buildings causing widespread panic and displacement.
"The attacks devastated civilian life and essential infrastructure," Sato said. She warned against targeting nuclear facilities under IAEA supervision, and stressed that such actions must never occur, as they risk catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences.
The report documents a sharp and alarming rise in executions. The Special Rapporteur expressed concern that over 1,000 known cases have been reported to her as of September 2025 - the highest number recorded in years. She described the situation as a deliberate policy of fear and retribution, noting that many executions followed unfair trials or vague national security charges.
The expert also highlighted a growing pattern of transnational repression, with Iranian authorities targeting dissidents abroad through intimidation, surveillance, and threats.
Sato called on the Government of Iran to seize this moment as an opportunity for unity and healing. She urged authorities to demonstrate commitment to human rights through immediate, concrete action. "This is a pivotal moment for Iran to rebuild trust with its people," she said. "Ending executions, protecting fundamental freedoms, and upholding the rule of law are essential first steps."
The expert urged Iran to establish a moratorium on the death penalty, ensure fair trial guarantees, and release those detained for exercising fundamental rights. She called for the protection of lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, and minorities from intimidation and violence, and for an end to transnational repression.
The Special Rapporteur also appealed to other States to support at-risk Iranian civil society actors, and coordinate efforts to counter transnational repression.
"Accountability and transparency are indispensable for any path forward," Sato said. "The Iranian people deserve peace, dignity, and justice and the international community must stand with them in that pursuit."
Mai Sato is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic republic of Iran.
Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.
Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/
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