Urgent Call for Collective OPCW Action on Iran’s Suspected Use of Chemical Agents Against Civilians

February 2, 2026

To:
Member States of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
Office of the Director-General, OPCW
United Nations Permanent Missions

Dear Representatives,

We write as a collective of undersigned human rights organizations, civil society groups, victims’ advocates, and concerned citizens working to document abuses and advance accountability for crimes committed by the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI).

We urgently call on all OPCW Member States to act collectively to demand accountability from the Islamic Republic of Iran for its suspected use of prohibited chemical substances against civilians, including protesters and, previously, school-aged girls.

Recent eyewitness testimony, medical evaluations, and independent reporting indicate that Iranian security forces have deployed non-standard chemical agents during protest crackdowns, causing severe and lasting health consequences. Victims report symptoms far exceeding ordinary tear gas exposure, including respiratory distress, neurological impairment, cardiovascular instability, persistent headaches, dizziness, and long-term systemic dysfunction. Iranian medical professionals have confirmed that many patients presented with consistent clinical profiles indicative of exposure to unlawful chemical substances.

These reports are not isolated. They closely mirror the widespread and systematic poisonings of schoolgirls across Iran in 2022, documented over many months and widely understood as collective punishment aimed at women and girls for their role in nationwide protests. In both cases, the pattern, scale, repetition, and uniformity of symptoms point to deliberate deployment rather than incidental or accidental exposure.

During the school poisoning attacks, Iranian authorities did not conduct a credible investigation. Instead, they:

• Obstructed medical and forensic investigations;
• Intimidated doctors, nurses, students, and families;
• Deployed security forces to interfere with evidence collection;
• Issued contradictory and implausible explanations, including claims of “mass hysteria,” “stink bombs,” or “pepper spray,” despite overwhelming medical evidence to the contrary.

The same tactics of denial, intimidation, and obfuscation are now being repeated in response to chemical exposure during protest crackdowns. This establishes a clear and consistent pattern of state behavior.

IRI is a State Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, having ratified it on November 3, 1997. As such, it is legally obligated to prevent the use of prohibited chemical agents, to investigate credible allegations transparently, and to cooperate fully with the OPCW. The Islamic Republic has failed to meet these obligations.

Given IRI’s documented history of evidence suppression, intimidation of witnesses, and retaliation against whistleblowers, it cannot be trusted to investigate itself.

Accordingly, we call on all OPCW Member States, acting collectively and in coordination, to invoke the mechanisms provided under Article IX of the Chemical Weapons Convention and to take the following actions without delay:

1. Formally request clarification from the Government of Iran regarding its suspected non-compliance with the Convention;
2. If IRI’s response is inadequate, ambiguous, or unsatisfactory, mandate the OPCW Executive Council to authorize a challenge inspection;
3. Direct the OPCW Director-General to establish an independent Technical Secretariat expert mission empowered to:
   - Conduct on-site inspections;
   - Collect biomedical and environmental samples;
   - Interview victims, treating physicians, and witnesses;
   - Access any facility or location under Iranian jurisdiction necessary to resolve compliance concerns;
4. Publish a public, factual report detailing findings, levels of cooperation, and any obstruction by Iranian authorities;
5. Should IRI deny, delay, or obstruct this process, coordinate collective diplomatic, legal, and financial consequences, including referral to relevant United Nations bodies.

The use of chemical agents against civilians, including children and protesters, constitutes a grave violation of international law and may amount to crimes against humanity. Continued delay enables further harm, the destruction of evidence, and impunity.

Victims and their families have waited decades for truth and accountability. Silence and inaction only embolden further crimes.

We urge OPCW Member States to act together, decisively, and without delay.

Respectfully,

Co-Signers of the Petition

1Kalameh Lawyers Network
Alliance Against Islamic Regime of Iran Apologists (AAIRIA)
Ava Smile Dental Practice
Bay Area 4 Iran
Cali Iranian Unity (Davis Group)
Canadian Iranian Doctors for Human Rights (CIDHR)
Christian Democratic Party of Iran
Council of Lawyers for a Democratic Iran
Farzaneh Cultural and Art Center
Foundation for the Defense of Democracy and Human Rights - Norway
Global Campaign Against Execution in Iran
Houston Voices of Iran
International Independent Physicians and Healthcare Providers Association (IIPHA)
Iranian Christian Foundation
Italian Association of Free Iranian Women
Justice for Iran
Lawyers Council for a Democratic Iran
Left Women's Union
Mahsa Foundation (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Middle East New Life Mission
Mosaddegh Intellectuals Group
Neda-ye Zagros Network
No to IRI Orange County
Norfolk Healthcare
Oraco Dental Practices
Rodericks Dental Practices
Stop Honor Killings Campaign
Supporters of Mothers of Laleh Park Farzaneh
The Platform The Place For Your Voice
Unity Solidarity Equality Movement
Voice of Iranian Social Democrat Women
Woman Life Freedom Nürnberg & Erlangen e.V.