The United Nations human rights chief said he was “horrified” by the violence in Iran and reported that hundreds of people have been killed during ongoing protests, as an Iranian official separately claimed the death toll could be as high as 2,000.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the UN rights office had received credible information indicating that hundreds of civilians and members of the security forces had been killed since the unrest began, while warning that the actual number could be higher due to restricted access and limited information.
Türk called on Iranian authorities to halt the use of excessive force, respect the right to peaceful protest and ensure accountability, while also expressing concern over reports of mass arrests and the possible use of the death penalty against detainees.
Separately, an Iranian official told Reuters that around 2,000 people had been killed during the protests, blaming what he described as “terrorists” for the deaths of civilians and security personnel. The official did not provide evidence or a breakdown of the figures.
Independent verification of the Iranian government’s claim has not been possible. Rights groups and international organisations have repeatedly said confirming casualty numbers is difficult due to internet shutdowns and restrictions on media access inside Iran.
Iran has been rocked by months of protests over political and economic grievances, with authorities maintaining that security measures are necessary to restore order. Critics, however, accuse the government of using disproportionate force against demonstrators. (Newswire)