Today, 23 January, an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) was held in Geneva, focusing on the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Iran.
According to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who opened the session, since 28 December Iran has committed serious human rights violations, using violence, torture, killings, mass arrests and threats against protesters who are standing up for their fundamental right to live in a free and dignified society.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, speaking via video in a joint statement by the Nordic-Baltic (NB8) countries, expressed unequivocal condemnation of Iran’s crimes against humanity and conveyed unwavering solidarity with the people of Iran. “Repression and terror against the Iranian people must end immediately, and all detained protesters must be released,” he stressed.
Tsahkna noted that the deliberate restriction of access to the internet and other information channels is a conscious tactic by the regime aimed at preventing the exchange of information within the country, limiting the flow of information into and out of Iran, and concealing human rights violations from the international community. “Keeping Iran’s population in an information blackout has significantly hindered the documentation of human rights violations and worsened access to essential services,” he said. “We demand the swift and full restoration of internet connectivity.”
On behalf of the NB8 countries, the foreign minister called on Iran to fulfil its international obligations – to guarantee freedom of expression and unrestricted access to information and communication channels and essential services. “All human rights violations committed against Iranian civilians must have clear and appropriate consequences,” Tsahkna added. “This is why we support extending the mandates of the UN Special Rapporteur and the fact-finding mission on Iran.”
The convening of the emergency session was supported by 21 members of the UN Human Rights Council, including Estonia, and 30 observer states.
Estonia has supported the imposition of additional sanctions on Iranian leaders and officials responsible for human rights violations, nuclear proliferation, and Tehran’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine. Estonia also supports listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation for implementing the regime’s brutal policies.
Estonia has also decided to provide financial support for the Iran project under the programme, which aims to ensure access to an uncensored internet, enabling the opposition, journalists and citizens to obtain critically necessary information.
Estonia is a member of the UN Human Rights Council in 2026–2028. The focus of Estonia’s membership includes protecting women’s rights and promoting gender equality, strengthening children’s rights, ensuring human rights in the digital space, and media freedom.
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