February 20 – World Day of Social Justice: The Necessity of Confronting Discrimination and Injustice
World Day of Social Justice is a reminder of one of the fundamental principles of human rights: equality and equal enjoyment of rights and opportunities for all human beings. This day emphasizes that no individual should be deprived of their rights due to beliefs, religion, gender, ethnicity, or social status. Social justice is the foundation for building a society in which human dignity is protected and everyone has the opportunity to live a decent life.
However, in Iran under the rule of the Islamic Republic, existing realities indicate widespread violations of social justice. The massacre of Dey 1404 is an example of the violent suppression of peaceful protesters whose only demands were basic rights, a dignified life, security, and respect for fundamental freedoms. Poverty, unemployment, and structural discrimination—alongside severe restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful protest—demonstrate that state policies have not contributed to social justice, but rather have deepened class divisions and repression. Women, religious minorities, and civil activists have borne the greatest pressure, and their fundamental right to a fair and secure life has been taken away.
During the January 2026 Protests:
- According to Reuters, between 33,000 and 36,000 people were killed by the government.
- State media reported more than 700 deaths, and 1,174 cases have also been registered in official files.
- Government sources announced that more than 15,000 individuals were arrested during the protests.
- Based on reports from inside Iran, 16,000 were killed and 50 protesters were executed.
- Deutsche Welle: The number of those killed may exceed 20,000 people.
World Day of Social Justice is an opportunity to remind that achieving justice without respect for human rights and without ending discrimination and repression is impossible. Only by adhering to the principles of equality, freedom, and human dignity can a just society be achieved.
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic, in Article 19, emphasizes equality of individuals before the law; however, this equality is conditioned upon Islamic criteria and subject to broad limitations. In practice, many groups are deprived of their rights. Likewise, although the Constitution refers to social welfare and justice, their realization in practice faces ideological and structural restrictions.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Article 1: Freedom and equality
- Article 2: Non-discrimination
- Article 3: Right to life for all
- Article 23: Right to social security
- Article 25: Right to work
- Article 26: Right to education
- Article 30: Prohibition of abuse of rights
Also, the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda:
- Goal 1: Eradicating poverty and ensuring a dignified life for all
- Goal 4: Quality education and equal opportunity for all
- Goal 8: Decent work and fair wages for all
- Goal 10: Reducing inequalities and achieving equality without discrimination
Defense of Human Rights Association in Iran
North Germany Region Representation
Translated by Alireza Jahan Bin
