New Zealand urged to demand international justice for crimes against humanity in Iran
16/09/2026
Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand calls on the Government to support an UN-led international criminal justice mechanism as survivors continue to seek accountability
As the fourth anniversary of the Woman Life Freedom uprising is marked around the world, Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand is urging the New Zealand Government to support international justice efforts for crimes against humanity committed by Iranian authorities against protesters.
The call comes alongside a new Amnesty International investigation, Architects of Atrocities: State Machinery Orchestrating Crimes Against Humanity in Iran's 2022 Woman Life Freedom Uprising, which documents how Iranian authorities allegedly committed crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, enforced disappearance, imprisonment, rape and persecution, during the nationwide protests that followed the death in custody of Jina (Zhina) Mahsa Amini in September 2022. The report identifies 87 officials who Amnesty International says should be criminally investigated.
Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand has launched a public petition calling on Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters to join other UN member states in supporting the creation of an international criminal justice mechanism for crimes against humanity committed in Iran.
Lisa Woods, Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand Movement Building & Advocacy Director, said:
"The scale and gravity of human rights abuses in Iran demand a response of equal scale and seriousness from New Zealand and governments around the world. New Zealand must do more, using every avenue available – to stand with the people of Iran, to end the cycle of impunity and hold perpetrators to account."
According to Amnesty International's findings, impunity for the violent suppression of protests in 2022 has emboldened further repression, including the mass killing of protesters during nationwide unrest in January 2026. Amnesty argues that without meaningful accountability, the cycle of violence against those demanding human rights and political freedoms will continue.
The new report draws on years of research, including interviews with 270 people and analysis of more than 2,000 videos and extensive documentary evidence. It concludes that Iranian authorities implemented a state policy of lethal force to crush protests and systematically shielded perpetrators from accountability.
New Zealand solidarity events
Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand is partnering with Iranian Solidarity Group New Zealand to commemorate Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman Life Freedom movement through events in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The programme includes screenings of Nasrin, the documentary about prominent Iranian human rights lawyer and women's rights defender Nasrin Sotoudeh, alongside community speakers and performances.
Screenings occur in
• Christchurch - September 17
• Dunedin – September 18
• Wellington-September 20
• Auckland - September 20
An Iranian Solidarity Group New Zealand spokesperson said:
"On the fourth anniversary of Jina Mahsa Amini's killing, we remember how Woman, Life, Freedom became a unifying movement that brought together Iranians across political views, generations and ethnicities, united by a shared demand for freedom, equality and dignity. Its powerful and universal message resonated around the world because these are rights that belong to all of us.
"The regime responded with brutal repression in an attempt to crush the movement, but the people of Iran did not give up. They rose again in January 2026, facing an even harsher crackdown.
"Amnesty International's new report brilliantly documents the atrocities committed during Woman, Life, Freedom, and we echo its call for those responsible to be held accountable on the international stage.
"This is why Iranian Solidarity Group New Zealand is proud to partner with Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand on events in Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland, commemorating Jina and the Woman Life Freedom uprising, highlighting Amnesty's report, and screening Nasrin, the story of prominent Iranian human rights lawyer and women's rights defender Nasrin Sotoudeh, alongside a programme of speakers and performances."
Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand is encouraging New Zealanders to sign its petition and call on the Government to support international accountability efforts through the United Nations.
"The international community cannot continue to allow survivors and victims' families to be denied justice while those responsible remain beyond accountability," said Woods.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Amnesty International's report, Architects of Atrocities: State Machinery Orchestrating Crimes Against Humanity in Iran's 2022 Woman Life Freedom Uprising, documents alleged crimes against humanity committed during the 2022 protests and identifies 87 officials for potential criminal investigation.
- Amnesty International is calling for the UN General Assembly to establish an international criminal justice mechanism to investigate and advance accountability for crimes against humanity committed in Iran.
- Public petition: Demand International Justice for Crimes Against Humanity in Iran
- If media wish to speak with a representative of Iranian Solidarity Group New Zealand, requests should be referred through Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand. Interviews may be conducted with an anonymous Iranian Solidarity spokesperson.
Media contacts
Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand