The Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner, Mr. Antonio Guterres, on human rights in Iran

In early July 2018, 80 persons from the Azerbaijani Turkish community were reportedly detained or summoned by security forces in the context of an annual celebration in East Azerbaijan Province. Most have been released, amidst reports that they were subjected to ill-treatment. In August, 40 persons from the community were arrested in connection with another gathering in the city of Meshgin Shahr in Ardabil Province, amidst reports of the use of excessive force by security forces. They were subsequently released.
UN human rights chief urges Iranian authorities to defuse tensions, investigate protest deaths

GENEVA (3 January 2018) – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Wednesday urged the Iranian authorities “to handle the wave of protests that have taken place around the country with great care so as not to further inflame violence and unrest,” and to investigate all deaths and serious injuries […]