Publications

July 31, 2025

WORKERS RIGHT WATCH - Jan to June 2025

A semi-annual report on worker protests and evolving labour regulations in Iran

Iran saw 455 labor protests across 34 sectors in 83 cities from January to June 2025, driven by soaring inflation and wage stagnation. The report highlights escalating unrest, intensified by the June Israeli attacks, and tracks legal developments, offering vital insights for policy and advocacy efforts supporting Iranian workers.

December 1, 2022

Brains versus brutality

The status of Iran’s student protests and how the international community can help

Examining the rapid spread of Iranian student protests across over a hundred campuses, this policy brief highlights how campus activism challenges authoritarian control and entrenched gender segregation. It underscores the need for international support measures to protect student rights, ensure safety, and promote democratic change.

November 1, 2022

[Analysis Report] Inside Iran

Less-known features of the Iranian protests – and corresponding governmental responses

This report examines Iran's evolving protest landscape: a women-led, youth-driven uprising with multi-ethnic roots and subtle state repression like internet blackouts and forced confessions. A vital resource for policymakers and civil society seeking clear insights to respond effectively.

October 1, 2022

[Policy Brief] Call for urgent action

Physical and mental health needs of children participating in the nationwide protests in Iran 2022

Across Iran, teenage protestors face brutal repression that inflicts severe physical and psychological harm. This policy brief highlights their urgent need for international support, calling for mental health services, legal aid, and educational resources to safeguard their rights and future. Clear steps for urgent change are outlined now.

November 1, 2021

Research paper

Longitudinal Situation Analysis of Iranian NGOs

This study examines decades of shifts in Iran’s legal, political, and policy landscapes affecting NGOs. Focusing on reformist, conservative, and securitized eras, it uses interviews to reveal how state policies shape NGO freedoms and risks, urging tailored international support to mitigate unintended security and legal challenges.

June 1, 2021

[Policy Brief] Iranian Labour Movement

How Can the International Community More Effectively Support the Iranian Labour Movement?

International support is vital to empowering Iranian workers. This policy brief shows how weak strategic advocacy and absent independent unions hamper effective protests. It calls for diverse tactics, stronger union leadership, and global backing to advance labour rights, offering clear guidance for policy makers and civil society – bold moves now!

March 1, 2021

[Policy Brief] ILO Conventions 87 and 98

Action Required: Appeal to Iran to Ratify ILO Conventions 87 and 98

Despite decades in the ILO, Iran still hasn’t ratified key conventions 87 and 98 that secure workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively. This policy paper calls on the international community to pressure Iran to adopt these measures and improve labor conditions.

September 1, 2019

Civic Space in Iran

Restrictions and Violations of the Right to Freedom of Expression, Association and Assembly

A 2019 study on Iran’s civic space under President Rouhani reveals a systematic crackdown on civil society. It details how restrictive laws, strict CSO licensing, censorship, and repression have eroded free speech, association, and assembly, exposing a decade-long attack on civic freedoms.

April 1, 2019

[Petition] Freedom of Association and Assembly in Iran

A Call for Urgent Action

This petition calls for immediate international attention to the severe repression of civil society in Iran. Highlighting the escalating violations against activists, the document demands accountability and concrete actions to safeguard the fundamental rights of association and assembly in Iran.

March 28, 2019

Joint Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

Islamic Republic of Iran

A critical evaluation of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s progress on international human rights standards, with a focus on civic space. The review examines the legal framework and policy measures affecting freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression, alongside the treatment of human rights defenders. Findings reveal significant gaps in