UN calls on Iran to stop the violence and restore internet access

The United Nations on Tuesday condemned the violence used by Iranian security forces against peaceful demonstrators and called on authorities to restore internet and telephone services.

“The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop, and the labelling of protesters as ‘terrorists’ to justify violence against them is unacceptable,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said in a statement.

People have a right to have their demands heard, he added.

The UN Human Rights Office said it has been unable to independently verify reports of hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests because it has no access to Iran, according to a spokesperson.

The office is concerned about what will happen to those arrested. At least 12 demonstraters were executed following protests in 2022, the spokesman said.