The Islamic Republic of Iran, under the rule of Ayatollah Khomeini (1979–1989) and continuing under his successors, has been widely accused of committing multiple violations of the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), as well as subsequent international covenants such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)—which Iran ratified in 1975 and is legally bound to uphold.

UN Charter and Human Rights Violations by Iran (1979–Present)

Suppression of Political Dissent and Executions

Violated Articles: UDHR Art. 3, 5, 9, 10, 19. ICCPR Art. 6, 7, 9, 14, 19. UN Charter Art. 1(3), 55(c)

Crimes: Thousands of political prisoners were executed in the 1988 prison massacre, including Marxists, socialists, and MEK (Mujahedin-e Khalq) members, often without fair trials or legal representation. Mass arbitrary detentions of opposition figures, writers, intellectuals, and student leaders. The use of torture and prolonged solitary confinement as common practice.

Persecution of Religious and Ethnic Minorities

Violated Articles: UDHR Art. 2, 18. ICCPR Art. 18, 27. Crimes: Suppression of cultural expression, language rights, and religious practices. Systematic persecution of Baháʼís, including executions, bans from education and employment, and destruction of cemeteries. Discrimination and abuse against Sunni Muslims, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Kurds, Baluchis, and Arabs.

Gender Apartheid and Violence Against Women

Violated Articles: UDHR Art. 2, 7, 16. ICCPR Art. 3, 23, 26. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) (Iran has not ratified but is bound by UDHR and ICCPR)

Crimes: Mandatory veiling laws enforced with violence and imprisonment. Denial of equal rights in marriage, divorce, custody, and inheritance. Women are barred from many political, legal, and professional roles. Killing of women protestors, including during the recent “Women, Life, Freedom” movement.

Censorship, Thought Control, and Media Crackdown

Violated Articles: UDHR Art. 19, ICCPR Art. 19. Crimes: Revolutionary Courts used to issue death sentences for ideological crimes. Secret tribunals, lack of defence rights, absence of public trials. Confessions extracted under torture.

Enforced Disappearances and Extrajudicial Killings

Violated Articles: UDHR Art. 3, 5, 9. ICCPR Art. 6, 7, 9. Crimes: Killings of peaceful demonstrators during protests (1999, 2009, 2017, 2019, 2022). Disappearances of political dissidents. Targeted assassinations abroad of exiled opponents (e.g., Shapour Bakhtiar, 1991; Kurdish leaders in Vienna, 1989).

Child Executions and Juvenile Justice Violations

Violated Articles: Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (Iran is a party),ICCPR Art. 6(5). Crimes: Children subjected to torture and imprisonment for political activity. Execution of juvenile offenders, despite international condemnation.

Violations of UN Charter Principles

UN Charter Principles Violated: Art. 1(3): Promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms. Art. 55(c): Universal respect for human rights and freedoms. Art. 56: Members pledge to take joint action to achieve the above.

Terrorism and Extraterritorial Violence

Violated Articles: UN General Assembly Resolutions on State Sovereignty, UNSC Res. 1373 (Counterterrorism). Crimes: 1994 AMIA bombing in Argentina (with evidence implicating senior Iranian officials), Iranian regime’s support for Hezbollah, Hamas, PIJ, and various Shiite militias abroad. Involvement in terrorist acts such as: 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, 1992 Mykonos restaurant assassinations (German court found Iranian leadership responsible).

Use of Child Soldiers (IRGC and Proxies)

Violated Articles: Protocol to CRC on Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. Crimes: Recruitment of child soldiers from Afghan and Syrian refugee populations for proxy wars in Syria and Iraq via the IRGC Quds Force and militias like Liwa Fatemiyoun.

Iran, especially under and after Khomeini, has consistently violated core human rights norms and UN Charter obligations, both domestically and internationally. These violations have been documented by: UN Special Rapporteurs on Iran, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, UN Human Rights Council, International courts and governments.

OFFICIAL REPORTS AND EVIDENCE:

UN Secretary-General’s Report on Human Rights in Iran (2023)

This report documents a significant increase in executions, including those of minors, and highlights the government’s continued repression of women’s rights and ethnic minorities: UN Secretary-General’s Report on Human Rights in Iran (2023)

Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran – Javaid Rehman (2024)

Rehman reported on the violent suppression of protests following Mahsa Amini’s death, detailing unlawful killings, including of children, and the government’s refusal to grant access to UN investigators. UN News – Special Rapporteur Report on Iran (2024)

Amnesty International Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee (2023)

Amnesty’s submission outlines Iran’s violations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial executions. Amnesty International – Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee (2023)

UN Special Rapporteur on Unilateral Coercive Measures – Alena Douhan (2022)

This report assesses the impact of international sanctions on human rights in Iran, noting significant challenges in accessing essential goods and services. UN Report on Unilateral Coercive Measures by Alena Douhan (2022)

Human Rights Organisations & Media Reports

Amnesty International – “Blood-Soaked Secrets”
Amnesty’s campaign includes photographs of victims and documents related to the 1988 prison massacre.amnesty.org

Iran International – “UN Rapporteur Slams Iranian Regime’s Brutality During Protests” (2023)
Iran International provides images and testimonies from the 2022 protests, highlighting the regime’s violent response.iranintl.com

Human Rights Watch – World Report 2024: Iran
HRW documents the use of excessive force, torture, and sexual assault by security forces during protests, as well as the execution of individuals convicted of crimes committed as children. hrw.org