The Iranian authorities refuse to release the bodies of the dead to their relatives or require them not to communicate with media representatives.

More than 40 people were killed during protests in Iran last week alone. Two teenagers were among the dead.

According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, police have also detained thousands of people across the country for participating in protests. At least six people associated with the protests were reportedly sentenced to death on charges of “mohareb,” or “warring against God,” as well as being hostile to God.

OHCHR representative Jeremy Lawrence added that a large number of Iranian celebrities and athletes who supported the protests are being prosecuted.

The UN noted that more than 300 people, including 40 children, have died since the beginning of nationwide protests on September 16. Two 16-year-old boys were among the six people who died last weekend. At the same time, the Iranian authorities refuse to hand over the bodies of the dead to their relatives or demand that they not communicate with media representatives.

“The lack of accountability for gross violations of human rights in Iran is contributing to growing discontent,” Lawrence added.

Protests in Iran: what is known

Mass protests in Iran began in September 2022. People took to the streets after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died after being detained by Iran’s Idakh police, who enforce the hijab.

In early November, Iranian lawmakers publicly called on the country’s judiciary to take decisive action against the approximately 14,000 people who took part in the protests.

Later it became known that the legendary Iranian striker Ali Dayei, who once played for Bayern Munich, was arrested for participating in rallies and sentenced to death in his homeland.