Human Rights Violations in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela Highlighted by UN Experts
Severe Human Rights Abuses in Iran
A UN-appointed Fact-Finding Mission has reported severe human rights violations in Iran, particularly in response to the mass protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.
Sara Hossein, chair of the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, revealed that children participating in peaceful demonstrations were shot with ammunition containing metal pellets, resulting in severe injuries and deaths. The investigators’ latest report also describes instances of extreme violence, including torture and sexual abuse, against detained protesters.
Continuous State Repression
“For two years, Iran has refused to acknowledge the calls for justice and equality that fueled the 2022 protests. The ongoing criminalization, surveillance, and repression of protesters and victims’ families—especially women and girls—is deeply troubling,” Hossein stated.
She further highlighted that state-led suppression of fundamental freedoms persists in Iran, with victims and their relatives facing intimidation and threats.
Shaheen Ali, another member of the Fact-Finding Mission, emphasized that while it is the Iranian government’s responsibility to compensate victims, many survivors have lost trust in the country’s legal system to ensure justice.
“It is crucial that accountability efforts continue outside Iran as well,” Ali urged.
Iran’s government strongly rejected the report’s conclusions.
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Uncovering Truth in Syria
At the Human Rights Council, Paulo Pinheiro, chair of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, called for intensified efforts to determine the fate of tens of thousands of missing individuals, many of whom disappeared under the Assad regime.
Pinheiro acknowledged that Syria’s new caretaker authorities have shown a willingness to engage with human rights investigators. However, he warned that the country’s economic and humanitarian conditions remain dire.
With humanitarian funding in decline, Pinheiro stressed that economic instability could lead to more violence. He urged the removal of international sanctions and other barriers to Syria’s recovery.
Seeking Justice for Families
Pinheiro’s team met with many families whose missing relatives were not among those released after the regime’s overthrow.
“These families demand truth and justice,” he said. “Resolving the cases of those still missing will require a large-scale effort by Syrian authorities, supported by human rights organizations.”
He reaffirmed the investigators’ commitment to assist by providing the data they have collected since 2011 and emphasized the need to preserve all related evidence.
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Political Repression in Venezuela
During her presentation to the Human Rights Council, Marta Valiñas, chair of the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, detailed ongoing political repression, arbitrary detentions, and attacks on dissidents.
The 2024 presidential election results were contested but dismissed by Venezuela’s Supreme Court without proper review. The National Electoral Council failed to release full vote counts or polling station results, raising concerns over electoral transparency.
Manipulated Election Results
According to Valiñas, reliable sources indicated that electoral officials were pressured to declare a pre-determined outcome, contradicting actual polling results.
Ahead of the presidential inauguration on January 10, 2025, opposition leaders and perceived dissidents were increasingly detained. Government forces and armed civilian groups, known as “colectivos”, violently suppressed protests, resulting in widespread rights violations.
The mission also investigated killings during post-election demonstrations, including a notable incident in Maracay where seven protesters were shot dead near the San Jacinto Obelisk in Aragua state.
Government Forces Opened Fire
After examining over 80 videos and 100 photographs, the mission confirmed that members of the Venezuelan Army and Bolivarian National Guard fired directly at protesters.
Detainee Deaths Under Suspicious Circumstances
Valiñas voiced concern over the deaths of multiple detainees in state custody, officially attributed to “health complications.” However, investigations revealed that many of these prisoners were subjected to brutal torture and abuse.
She cited one case where an individual was reportedly beaten with metal and wooden rods during interrogation.
The Venezuelan government dismissed the findings, calling them politically motivated.
“This mission spreads propaganda based on unreliable or biased sources, lacking scientific rigor and credibility,” stated a Venezuelan representative.
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Conclusion
The reports presented to the Human Rights Council highlight systematic human rights violations in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela. Investigators emphasize the urgent need for accountability and justice, despite resistance from the governments involved.
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