Arcdh Arc – Association for Human Rights of Azerbaijanis of Iran "ArcDH"
At the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, a statement delivered on behalf of the Azerbaijan Human Rights Association – ARC highlighted serious human rights violations in Iran following the January 2026 protests.
In the statement, ARC drew attention to what it described as a violent and systematic crackdown by security forces, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of protesters, including members of the Azerbaijani minority. The organization emphasized that the deliberate use of lethal force against predominantly peaceful protesters constitutes a grave violation of the right to life under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a State Party.
The statement further addressed the issue of widespread arbitrary arrests targeting Azerbaijani activists and students. According to ARC, many detainees have been held incommunicado and deprived of fair trial guarantees as outlined in Articles 9 and 14 of the ICCPR.
ARC also raised concerns over reports indicating that some detainees have been transferred to undisclosed locations, warning that such practices may amount to enforced disappearance under Article 2 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
The organization called on the Council and the international community to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate measures in response to the reported violations.