Netblocks Iran: A Nation Silenced by Coerced Confessions
As protests continue to erupt across Iran, a disturbing trend is emerging: a dramatic increase in coerced confessions broadcast on state television. These confessions, often featuring blurred faces and dramatic soundtracks, are presented as evidence of foreign interference – specifically, plots orchestrated by Israel and the United States – fueling the unrest. However, human rights activists and international observers are raising serious concerns about the methods used to obtain these statements and the potential consequences for those implicated.
The Rise in Televised Confessions
According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Iranian state media has aired at least 97 confessions from protesters since the demonstrations began on December 28th. This represents an unprecedented surge compared to previous periods. Between 2010 and 2020, approximately 350 forced confessions were broadcast, while in 2025, the number stood at 40-60. The recent spike is particularly alarming given the context of ongoing protests and the potential for severe punishment, including the death penalty.
Skylar Thompson, HRANA’s deputy director, emphasizes the gravity of the situation: “These rights violations compound on top of each other and lead to horrible outcomes. This is a pattern that’s been implemented by the regime time and time again.” HRANA’s findings, based on testimony from former detainees, suggest that these confessions are frequently extracted through psychological or physical torture.
A History of Coerced Confessions
The practice of televised, coerced confessions is not new in Iran. It dates back to the chaotic years following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, initially targeting suspected members of communist groups and insurgents. Even Mehdi Bazargan, Iran’s first prime minister after the revolution, expressed fear of being subjected to this tactic. More recently, the case of Maziari Bahari, a Newsweek correspondent imprisoned and forced to confess in 2009, brought international attention to the issue. He later documented his ordeal in a memoir and a documentary, “Forced Confessions.”
The European Parliament has strongly condemned Iran’s policy of forcing confessions through torture and intimidation, highlighting the use of these coerced statements to convict and sentence protesters. In 2024, Iran carried out 975 executions, the highest number since 2015, according to a United Nations report.
The Shadow of the Death Penalty
The surge in confessions is particularly concerning given the increasing number of executions in Iran. Since the protests began, at least 37 televised confessions have involved individuals facing the death penalty, mirroring the situation following the 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini. Tehran has reportedly executed 12 people for espionage since a brief conflict with Israel in June, with the latest execution involving a man accused of spying for Mossad in exchange for cryptocurrency.
The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran reported in 2014 that 70% of previously detained individuals stated coerced information or confessions were used in their hearings, often in trials lasting only minutes.
The Human Cost and Information Blackout
As of December 28th, over 18,100 people have been arrested and more than 2,500 killed – the vast majority protesters – according to HRANA. The Iranian government has not released official casualty figures, making independent verification difficult. The use of Netblocks to monitor internet restrictions highlights the government’s efforts to control information flow and suppress dissent. The ongoing crackdown and the reliance on coerced confessions raise serious questions about human rights and the rule of law in Iran.
Further Reading: Human Rights Watch – Iran
