Civil Society Organizations Call for the Release of Dr. Mahrang Baloch
In a shocking escalation of state repression, Pakistani authorities arrested Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a leading advocate against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan, on March 22, 2025.
Urgent Call for UN Action on Iran’s Human Rights Crisis
The UN Fact-Finding Mission (FFMI) confirmed systematic repression, targeting women, minorities, and protesters under state-led impunity. Rights organizations urge governments to renew the UN Special Rapporteur’s mandate and extend independent investigations to ensure accountability, justice, and protection for victims.
United Nations Human Rights Council Must Hold a Special Session on Iran
Miaan Group joins over 40 human rights organizations to demand meaningful action to hold the Islamic Republic of Iran accountable for gross human rights violations.
The Crackdown on Iran’s People of Sistan and Baluchestan Through Targeted Internet Shutdowns Must Stop Now!
Protests in Zahedan lead to recurring internet shutdowns.
Iran’s Year of Defiance and Repression: How One Woman’s Death Sparked a Nationwide Uprising
The “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement sparked nationwide protests, met with state violence, mass arrests, and executions.
Joint statement: Iran Authorities Must Ensure Internet Access During Protests in Saqqez
During demonstrations over Mahsa Amini’s death (Woman, Life, Freedom), authorities blocked mobile data and restricted apps while government agencies remained online. The ITU is urged to denounce Iran’s actions, and the government must align with international human rights laws to protect digital access and free speech.
Rights Organizations Condemn Iran’s Repeated Internet Shutdowns Amid Protests
In November 2021, peaceful protests over water shortages in Isfahan and surrounding provinces escalated after authorities blocked mobile data and forcibly dispersed demonstrators. Similar shutdowns in Ahvaz in response to calls for water protests occurred less than six months after a previous blackout.
Free Arbitrarily Detained Right to Health Defenders in Iran
Iran has arbitrarily detained human rights defenders Mehdi Mahmoudian, Arash Keykhosravi, and Mostafa Nilisince August 14, 2021, for preparing to file a complaint against the government’s Covid-19 mismanagement.
Urgent International Action Needed to Secure Release of Kurdish Activists and Others Arbitrarily Detained in Iran
A coalition of 36 civil society and human rights organizations is calling on the international community to address Iran’s arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and incommunicado detentions targeting Kurdish activists and civilians. Since January 6, 2021, at least 96 individuals—including students, environmentalists, and labor activists—have been arrested without warrants, many subjected to torture and unfair trials. Families are denied information, and detainees face grave human rights violations. The coalition urges immediate release of detainees, an end to enforced disappearances, and accountability for Iran’s systematic repression of ethnic minorities.
Iran’s Internet Shutdowns Conceal Human Rights Abuses in Sistan and Baluchistan
Iranian authorities have imposed near-total internet shutdowns in Sistan and Baluchistan to silence protests and hide human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings.
