Demand International Justice for Crimes Against Humanity in Iran

Protesters in Iran have been killed, tortured and imprisoned in the thousands for demanding their human rights and fundamental political change.  Yet officials bearing responsibility for crimes against humanity continue to evade justice, while survivors and relatives seeking accountability are persecuted. Aotearoa New Zealand and the global community must pursue international criminal justice for repeated protest massacres in Iran. 

Sign the petition and call on Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters to join UN member states in creating an international criminal justice mechanism for crimes against humanity in Iran.

What’s the problem? 

 
Iranian authorities have orchestrated and implemented a state policy of lethal force, torture and killings to crush protests demanding human rights and fundamental political change. The judiciary systematically protects perpetrators instead of delivering justice to victims. 

During the Woman Life Freedom uprising between September and December 2022, security forces used military-grade firearms to crush protests. They unlawfully killed hundreds of protesters and bystanders, including children, and injured thousands more. They also subjected tens of thousands of protesters to arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance or torture or other ill-treatment, including rape and other sexual violence.

“I had never seen such scenes before… The situation was very frightening and felt like a war zone. The security forces just kept shooting. They had no mercy towards anyone.”  - a protester in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan province. 

Impunity for the crimes against humanity committed in 2022 emboldened the Iranian authorities to commit further atrocities. Thousands were killed during nationwide protests on 8 and 9 January 2026, over 3,000 by the authorities’ own admission. 

What can you do to help?

Sign the petition and call on Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters to join UN member states in creating an international criminal justice mechanism for crimes against humanity in Iran.

Protesters in Iran have been killed, tortured and imprisoned in the thousands for demanding their human rights and fundamental political change.  Yet officials bearing responsibility for crimes against humanity continue to evade justice, while survivors and relatives seeking accountability are persecuted. Aotearoa New Zealand and the global community must pursue international criminal justice for repeated protest massacres in Iran. 

Sign the petition and call on Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters to join UN member states in creating an international criminal justice mechanism for crimes against humanity in Iran.

What’s the problem? 

 
Iranian authorities have orchestrated and implemented a state policy of lethal force, torture and killings to crush protests demanding human rights and fundamental political change. The judiciary systematically protects perpetrators instead of delivering justice to victims. 

During the Woman Life Freedom uprising between September and December 2022, security forces used military-grade firearms to crush protests. They unlawfully killed hundreds of protesters and bystanders, including children, and injured thousands more. They also subjected tens of thousands of protesters to arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance or torture or other ill-treatment, including rape and other sexual violence.

“I had never seen such scenes before… The situation was very frightening and felt like a war zone. The security forces just kept shooting. They had no mercy towards anyone.”  - a protester in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan province. 

Impunity for the crimes against humanity committed in 2022 emboldened the Iranian authorities to commit further atrocities. Thousands were killed during nationwide protests on 8 and 9 January 2026, over 3,000 by the authorities’ own admission. 

What can you do to help?

Sign the petition and call on Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters to join UN member states in creating an international criminal justice mechanism for crimes against humanity in Iran.

Demand International Justice for Crimes Against Humanity in Iran

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Tēnā koe Minister Peters,

I am writing to urge you to support international justice and accountability for crimes against humanity committed in Iran.

For years, Iranian authorities have used unlawful force, torture, arbitrary detention and other serious human rights violations to suppress people demanding their rights and fundamental political change. Survivors, families of those killed, and human rights defenders continue to face persecution while those responsible evade justice.

During the Woman Life Freedom uprising between September and December 2022, security forces unlawfully killed hundreds of protesters and bystanders, including children, and injured thousands more. Tens of thousands of people were subjected to arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, and other forms of ill-treatment.

One protester from Mahabad recalled:

"I had never seen such scenes before. The situation was very frightening and felt like a war zone. The security forces just kept shooting. They had no mercy towards anyone."

The failure to hold those responsible to account has contributed to a continuing cycle of abuses. Victims, survivors and their families deserve justice, truth and reparations.

I urge Aotearoa New Zealand to stand with survivors and join other UN member states in supporting the creation of an international criminal justice mechanism to investigate and advance accountability for crimes against humanity in Iran.

New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to human rights and the international rules-based order. By supporting efforts to establish an international justice mechanism, New Zealand can help ensure that those responsible for grave human rights violations are held accountable.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing how New Zealand will support international justice for the people of Iran.

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