Experts and human rights groups say Iran’s rights record remains marked by systematic repression, including continued executions, arbitrary detention, and harsh punishment for people accused of exercising freedom of expression, assembly, or political dissent.

They cite concerns raised in European and international forums that diplomatic efforts have not sufficiently addressed human rights conditions in Iran, including continued use of the death penalty and the lack of safeguards for people detained for political or security-related charges.

Speakers at public sessions described Iran’s court and detention systems as lacking fundamental due-process protections—asserting that defendants do not receive fair trials and that sentences can be delivered without meaningful evidence or independent defense. They also pointed to a broader pattern of state-linked coercion intended to maintain regime control through fear and continued restriction of basic freedoms.

Multiple reports highlighted that torture and ill-treatment remain persistent features of detention, including physical and psychological abuse, and in some accounts, sexual violence. Observers also warned that overcrowding and denial of medical care contribute to deaths and severe injuries in custody.

Women’s and girls’ rights advocates said repression continues to include discrimination under Iranian law and continued enforcement of compulsory veiling, alongside harassment, arrests, unfair trials, and punishment for those challenging restrictions. Ethnic minority groups were also described as facing widespread violations including discrimination in access to education, employment, housing, and political participation.

The experts further emphasized that repression extends beyond Iran’s borders through what they describe as transnational pressure on critics and human rights defenders, and they urged stronger international action—such as support for defenders and concrete steps to reduce the use of the death penalty and secure the release of people detained for peaceful rights-related activities.