By: Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada 17/1/2026
Iranian authorities are reportedly requiring families of people killed in recent protests to pay large sums of money before they can recover their loved ones’ bodies, according to a BBC report.
The practice, described as a financial barrier for grieving relatives, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates and international observers. Families of victims who cannot afford the fees which in some cases amount to several years’ wages are left unable to bring home the remains of their relatives.
Eyewitness accounts and reports from affected families suggest that the payments are being enforced by local authorities amid ongoing unrest in parts of the country. In some instances, relatives have been pressured to sign official statements attributing deaths to “rioters” or “terrorists” before being allowed to collect bodies, further complicating the situation for mourners who dispute such characterisations.
Critics say that the policy amounts to an added layer of punishment and humiliation for families already suffering loss. They argue that it violates basic human rights and dignity, and have called on international organisations to condemn the practice and support those affected.
The report highlights broader concerns about the Iranian government’s handling of protests and its treatment of dissent, amid wider discussions around political repression and civil liberties in the country.
