The Advancement of Human Rights Organization in the Middle East is a Canadian-based, non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to promoting and protecting human rights across the region. Operating in countries that have ratified the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the organization focuses on raising awareness and fostering understanding of human rights issues through education and advocacy.

Since the 1979 revolution, Iran has remained a hotspot for human rights abuses under the Islamic regime. Ethnic minorities, journalists, human rights activists, and especially women have faced systemic persecution. The regime's harsh enforcement of religious and political ideologies has led to widespread violations, particularly targeting those who deviate from its hardline stance. In recent years, the global spotlight has often shifted toward Iran’s nuclear activities—diverting attention from its grave human rights record.

Although the current Iranian government may appear more moderate on the surface, this perception is misleading. Human rights violations continue, and in some cases, have become even more blatant under the guise of reform.

Two pivotal events have underscored the urgent need for change in Iran. On January 8, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was tragically shot down by two Iranian surface-to-air missiles shortly after takeoff from Tehran, killing all 176 people onboard, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents. Then, on September 16, 2022, the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody sparked nationwide protests and reignited global attention on Iran’s oppressive policies. These demonstrations—led by brave Iranian women—reflect decades of resistance against a regime that has long denied women their fundamental rights. The mandatory hijab, emblematic of the state’s authoritarian control, has become a focal point of defiance, with women risking arrest, imprisonment, and even death for standing up to the regime.

Change is beginning to emerge—slowly, but steadily. However, meaningful progress requires sustained, collective effort. It demands public support, both vocal and financial, as well as ongoing education. Advancing human rights in Iran and the broader Middle East cannot happen in silence. It begins with awareness, courage, and unwavering solidarity.