As part of the 58th annual session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Mai Sato, presented her first report on the state of human rights in the country.
Her report highlighted alarming concerns, including an unprecedented rise in executions, intensified suppression of dissent, increased pressure on prisoners, discrimination against minorities, the continuation of oppressive policies, violence against women, and femicide, as well as the use of torture and sexual abuse against detainees. Forced confessions were also cited as a major concern.
Rise in Violence Against Women and Femicide in Iran
During her speech at the UN Human Rights Council, Mai Sato emphasized the worsening situation of violence against women in Iran. According to her report, at least 179 documented cases of femicide occurred in 2024. These murders were often linked to forced marriages, child marriages, and extensive legal restrictions imposed on women.
Sato stressed that the Iranian regime’s legal system remains deeply discriminatory, systematically depriving women of equal rights. Key areas of concern include the inequality of women’s testimony in court, restrictions on employment, and unfair inheritance and divorce laws.
Additionally, Sara Hossain, Chair of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, presented a report detailing the torture and sexual abuse of female prisoners. She stated that, in some cases, these violations amount to crimes against humanity.
The international community has voiced serious concerns over these findings, calling for urgent action to end the oppression of women and repeal discriminatory laws.
