UNITED NATIONS — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday urged Iranian authorities to show restraint and avoid the use of “unnecessary or disproportionate force” against protesters, amid reports of dozens of deaths and injuries across multiple cities in Iran, according to APP.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres said he was “shocked” by accounts of violence and the alleged excessive use of force by security services responding to the demonstrations.
“The rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, as enshrined in international law, must be fully respected and protected,” the secretary-general said. He emphasized that all Iranians must be able to voice their grievances peacefully and without fear of reprisal.
The protests, which have erupted in various parts of the country, have drawn growing international concern as reports emerge of lethal crackdowns and mass arrests. While Iranian authorities have portrayed the unrest as a threat to national security, rights groups and foreign governments have raised alarms over the treatment of demonstrators.
Guterres also called on Tehran to take steps to ensure access to information, including restoring communications that have reportedly been disrupted during the unrest. Free flow of information, he said, is essential during periods of heightened tension.
The statement stopped short of assigning blame but underscored the United Nations’ expectation that states respond to public dissent in line with international human rights obligations.
As the situation continues to unfold, the UN chief’s appeal adds to mounting diplomatic pressure on Iran to de-escalate and address public discontent through dialogue rather than force.
