Madrid, January 2026. Today, in more than 200 cities across Iran, courageous women and men are standing up against decades of authoritarian rule, risking their lives to demand freedom, dignity, and their economic, social and human rights. Their struggle is not only about their future. It is about the future of their nation and that of the universal principles of democracy, justice and human dignity. These protests reflect a profound demand for accountable governance, inclusive development and political participation. They are the expression of a society that seeks peaceful change after years of repression, economic hardship and shrinking civic space.
Club de Madrid is deeply concerned by the violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators. Human rights organisations have documented hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests, as well as the systematic use of intimidation, arbitrary detention and excessive force. Despite this brutal repression, protesters have chosen the path of nonviolent resistance, a powerful testament to their moral courage and their commitment to peaceful political and economic transformation.
We take particular note of the warning issued by Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi of the risk of a “massacre under the cover of a widespread communications blackout”. Any attempt to silence citizens, conceal abuses or prevent independent scrutiny constitutes a grave violation of fundamental rights and international law.
As the world’s largest Forum of democratic former Presidents and Prime Ministers, Club de Madrid calls on the Iranian authorities to:
- Immediately end the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators;
- Respect the right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and access to information;
- Release all those arbitrarily detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms;
- Ensure accountability for human rights violations;
- Engage in inclusive and meaningful dialogue with society to address the legitimate political, social and economic grievances of the population.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Iran who are courageously demanding democratic political change. We honour their determination, mourn their losses, and remain committed to amplifying their voices. The future of Iran must be built by the people of Iran through dialogue, inclusion, respect for human dignity and the rule of law.