Iran: UN experts sound the alarm over risk to the lives of 45 Iran International journalists and 315 family members
United Nations experts have condemned Iran’s intensifying repression of Iran International journalists worldwide and their family members, and have stated that they are “deeply concerned by credible threats to the lives and safety of 45 Iran International journalists and staff and 315 of their family members in seven countries: Belgium, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States.” In a statement jointly issued in Geneva overnight, eleven UN experts confirmed
The UN experts’ statement comes following an Urgent Appeal filed earlier this month, on 5th August 2025, by the international legal team for Iran International, following an alarming escalation in harassment over the previous six weeks. By that point, 45 Iran International journalists and over 300 relatives across 8 countries had received death threats from the Iranian MOIS (the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic of Iran). The Iranian authorities had threatened to kill both the journalists and their close relatives unless they stop working for Iran International by specific deadlines – which have all now passed.
The UN experts in their statement noted that several UK-based journalists have reportedly required police protection, and some have been forced to move into safe houses or even relocate abroad. Reports suggest that journalists have been followed, had tracking tags attached to their cars, and their cars repeatedly broken into. Women journalists have faced threats of death and sexual violence on social media and instant messaging services, some receiving hundreds of messages a day.
The experts stated that they were alarmed that the latest phase of repression has aggressively targeted journalists’ family members in Iran. They have been interrogated, placed under surveillance and threatened with arrest and even death. Interrogators have demanded that family members pressure their relatives to stop working for Iran International or become informants for Iran – particularly with regard to their alleged associations with Israel.
The experts stated:
“This campaign is an attempt to silence and censor critical reporting and courageous public interest journalism by a fragile Government that appears afraid of legitimate criticism. Such intimidation violates both freedom of expression and media freedom and may have a chilling effect on other journalists. It also deprives the public of their right to information. Civic space in Iran is already severely limited, and transnational repression further impedes those seeking to expose human rights violations.”
This unprecedented wave of repression violates the rights to life and physical and mental security of the journalists and their family members, and could constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. It also undermines their rights to work and reputation. Gendered threats against women journalists have a further discriminatory impact.”
The UN experts confirmed that they are in contact with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on these issues, and they urged Iran to immediately stop threatening and intimidating journalists and their families, and to investigate all such threats, prosecute alleged perpetrators, including State officials and any other people directed by the State, and prevent violations from reoccurring.
Responses
In response to the UN experts’ statement, Iran International’s General Manager, Mr Mahmood Enayat, said:
"I am deeply grateful to the UN Experts for their extremely speedy and strong statement condemning the growing harassment of Iran International journalists, as well as the intimidation of their families both in Iran and abroad.
Iran International is facing an unprecedented and concerted campaign designed to silence its independent reporting and force it off the air. Despite this pressure, Iran International stands firmly by its journalists in the face of persecution. The clear support of the UN Experts is both vital and welcome as we continue our commitment to free and independent journalism
Solicitor to Iran International, Mr Mark Stephens CBE of Howard Kennedy, said:
“Iran’s relentless terroristic threats against journalists and their families are the most direct attack on truth. The world cannot watch in silence while a rogue regime tries to crush honest reporting with intimidation. With the UN shining a light on this abuse, and with the courage of the journalists being attacked, truth is now set to triumph over fear."
Counsel to Iran International, Ms Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, added:
“Iran has a long and bloody history of taking repressive and often fatal action at times of the year when the world is looking away: during holiday periods and when the United Nations and Parliaments worldwide are in recess. We have been particularly concerned that the Iranian regime’s horrific targeting of Iran International has been escalating throughout July and into August, at a time when many world leaders are away.
This powerful, robust statement from eleven UN experts makes clear that the world must pay attention now to the risks posed to Iran International journalists and their families. We now call on the eight Governments to follow the UN experts’ lead and act quickly and decisively.”
Tatyana Eatwell and Jennifer Robinson act for Iran International, led by Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC (Associate), and instructed by Mark Stephens CBE and Ayesha Salim, Howard Kennedy.
