People holding up a placard with an image of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the ousted shah of Iran, rally during a demonstration in solidarity with protestors living in Iran, in Israel’s central city of Holon on January 24, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AFP
Iran’s ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali on Saturday (January 24, 2026) appreciated India’s stand to vote against a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution addressing the deteriorating human rights situation in connection with the nationwide protests which began on December 28, 2025.
In the 39th special session on January 23, the UNHRC adopted the resolution in which it extended the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran for two years, and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran for one year. “The resolution also called for an urgent investigation by the Fact-Finding Mission, in the context of the repression of nationwide protests beginning 28 December 2025,” read a statement issued by the UNHRC.
The resolution was adopted by a vote of 25 in favour, seven against and 14 abstentions. India’s vote placed it among a minority of states rejecting the measure, while several others abstained.
Reacting to India’s vote, in a statement on X, Mr. Fathali wrote: “I extend my sincere gratitude to the Government of India for its principled and firm support of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the UNHRC, including opposing an unjust and politically motivated resolution. This stance reflects India’s commitment to justice, multilateralism, and national sovereignty.”
During the special session, Iran, speaking as the country concerned, said the sponsors of this session had never genuinely cared for the human rights of Iranians, otherwise, they would not have imposed sanctions which impacted the lives of Iranians and supported Israel’s war against the State, the UNRC statement read.
As of Friday (January 23, 2026), the death toll from Iran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests reached at least 5,002 people, activists said, warning many more still were feared dead as the most-comprehensive internet blackout in the country’s history crossed the two-week mark.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency offered the death toll, saying 4,716 were demonstrators, 203 were government-affiliated, 43 were children and 40 were civilians not taking part in the protests. It added that more than 26,800 people had been detained in a widening arrest campaign by authorities.
Situation remains tense as U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday (January 22, 2026) that the U.S. is moving the ships toward Iran “just in case” he wants to take action.
A U.S. Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military movements, said that the Lincoln strike group is currently in the Indian Ocean.
Published – January 25, 2026 10:58 am IST
