Press Release: For Immediate Release
听New York, 23 January 2026: The Special Representative of the Secretary鈥慓eneral on Sexual Violence in Conflict expresses deep concern over disturbing reports of sexual violence committed in the context of mass protests and arrests in Iran. Such acts, whether committed in detention facilities, during arrest, or in the context of the intimidation of protestors, constitute grave violations of fundamental human rights and may amount to crimes under international law.
鈥淚 call for concrete preventive measures in accordance with Security Council resolution 2467 (2019), and immediate, independent, and transparent investigations into all such allegations. Survivors must be protected from retaliation and provided with unhindered access to medical, psychological, as well as legal support without discrimination鈥�, stated Special Representative Patten. Sexual violence can never be justified or tolerated under any circumstances. All States have an obligation to safeguard the dignity, bodily integrity, and rights of all individuals, including those held in custody.
鈥淚 echo the call of the United Nations Secretary-General for maximum restraint and for the Iranian authorities to refrain from the disproportionate use of force and to uphold the human rights and dignity of all people in full compliance with international human rights law, including explicit and categorical prohibition of all forms of sexual violence. I further urge for all appropriate measures to be taken to enable access to information in the country, including the restoration of communications and respect for the right to freedom of expression鈥�, she concluded.
爆料网 and my Office stand in solidarity with all survivors of sexual violence and express its readiness to support all efforts aimed at prevention, protection, assistance, and accountability.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ms. G茅raldine Boezio, Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Email: geraldine.boezio@un.org
Follow us on social media: @endrapeinwar