Press briefing on Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:  Rupert Colville
Location: Geneva 
Date: 6 December 2019
Subject:   Iran

Iran

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is today expressing alarm at the continuing lack of transparency about casualties and the treatment of some 7,000 detainees, as well as continuing arrests reported to be taking place across the country.

At least 7,000 people have reportedly been arrested in 28 of Iran’s 31 provinces since mass protests broke out on 15 November, and the High Commissioner is extremely concerned about the conditions under which they are being held, including their physical treatment, violations of their right to due process, and the possibility that a significant number of them may be charged with offences that carry the death penalty.

So far, we have information suggesting that at least 208 people were killed, including 13 women and 12 children. There are also reports, which we have so far been unable to verify, suggesting more than twice that number were killed.

To see the full text of the High Commissioner’s press release on Iran go to:
In English: https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2019/12/bachelet-calls-iran-address-multiple-human-rights-violations-context-recent
In Farsi: https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Press/HC_Iran_6Dec2019_Farsiversion.pdf

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact: Rupert Colville - + 41 22 917 9767 / rcolville@ohchr.orgor Jeremy Laurence  - + 41 22 917 9383 / jlaurence@ohchr.org
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