Iran Human Rights Abusers Who Should Be Sanctioned Now

Updated: December 16, 2022

In reaction to Mahsa Amini’s death in Iranian police custody and the regime’s violent attempts to suppress nationwide protests, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada have sanctioned certain Iranian officials and institutions responsible for human rights abuses. All Iran human rights sanctions designations can be viewed in United Against Nuclear Iran’s Iran Human Rights Sanctions Tracker.

Unfortunately, many more Iranian human rights violators have yet to be sanctioned by anyone. Consequently, United Against Nuclear Iran has compiled, and will continuously update, the following list of recommended targets for new human rights sanctions designations.

The sanctioned individuals noted on this page were designated after UANI’s recommendation.

Name Sort descending Person/Entity Background AKA Sanctioned
Haddad Adel, Gholamali Person

Member of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, an extremist-dominated government policy-making body that developed stricter regulations in 2019 for mandatory hijab wearing. Read More

High Council for Human Rights Entity

The Council is part of Iran's Judiciary, which is notorious for political prosecutions and systematically violating the human rights of the accused. Read More

Human Rights Headquarters
Hojjati, Hossein Person

Deputy minister of intelligence and security. Read More

Hosseini Khorasani, Seyyed Ahmad Person

Member of the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts, which are sanctioned by the Canadian government for human rights abuses. Read More

Iran Prisons' Organization Entity

Runs Iran's prison system, which is notorious for torture, beatings, and other human rights abuses against inmates. Read More

Iran’s Legal Medicine Organization Entity

Released a report in October 2022 absolving the authorities of responsibility for Mahsa Amini's death, claiming "[Amini's] death was not caused by blows to the head or any other vital organs and parts of the body," but was due to an "underlying disease". Read More

Forensic Medicine Organization
Islamic Propaganda Coordination Council Entity

"The Islamic Propaganda Coordination Council called for countrywide, pro-regime protests on October 28 to condemn the US and Israel for their alleged roles in stoking the protests. Read More

Coordination Council for Islamic Propagation; Islamic Propagation Coordination Council
Jalali, Hossein Person

In early December 2022, Jalali, a member of parliament, unveiled a plan to freeze the bank accounts of women who do not wear the hijab, and said "Scarves will be put back on women's heads in a week or two. Read More

Jalili, Saeed Person

Representative of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). Read More

Jalilian, Doust Ali Person

Appointed as Sistan and Baluchistan Provincial Commander of the Law Enforcement Forces on February 26, 2023. Read More

Jannati, Ahmad Person

Chairman of Iran's Assembly of Experts and Secretary of the Guardian Council, both of which are sanctioned by Canada for human rights abuses. Read More

Judiciary Entity

Article 156 of Iran’s constitution defines the judiciary as an “independent power,” which investigates and passes judgment on grievances, violations of rights, complaints, resolves litigation, settles disputes, and takes all necessary decisions and measures in probate matters. Read More

Kabganian, Mansour Person

Member of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, an extremist-dominated government policy-making body that developed stricter regulations in 2019 for mandatory hijab wearing. Read More

Kahmenoui, Mohammad Mossadegh Person

First deputy chief justice (2021–present). Read More

Kazemi, Farshad Person

Commander of the Law Enforcement Forces in Mahshahr, Khuzestan. Read More

Khamenei, Ali Person

Supreme leader (1989–present). Read More

Khamenei, Mojtaba Person

Reportedly de facto commanded the IRGC's Basij paramilitary force during part of its crackdown on protests following the disputed 2009 presidential elections. Read More

Khan-Mohammadi, Ali Person

Spokesman for the Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (which is sanctioned by Canada for human rights abuses), which "[carries] out cultural and educational programs to institutionalize the state’s interpretations of morality and virtues" and is involved closely in President Raisi's harsher enforcement of hijab regulations. Read More

Khatami, Seyyed Ahmad Person

Member of the Guardian Council and Assembly of Experts. Read More

Khatami, Ahmad; Khatami, Sayyid Ahmad
Khazali, Ensieh Person