How lack of punishment set the stage for mass killings in Iran

Amnesty International says Iran's security forces killed thousands of protesters on 8-9 January 2026 because no one was punished for a violent crackdown on 2022 Woman Life Freedom protests. Its September 2026 report lists killings, torture and sexual abuse in 2022. Without trials in other countries or tougher economic punishments, Amnesty says, such violence is likely to continue.