On May 12, International Nurses Day, Hana Human Rights Organization expresses its deep concern regarding the ongoing violation of the fundamental rights of nurses and healthcare workers in Iran. Nurses, as a cornerstone of the health system, have faced conditions in recent years that are in clear conflict with international human rights principles, labor rights, and the right to health.
Reports and available data indicate that a vast majority of the medical staff in Iran struggle with exhausting working hours, unfair wages, precarious contracts, acute manpower shortages, and a lack of occupational and psychological support. The persistence of this situation not only threatens the physical and mental health of nurses but also gravely jeopardizes citizens’ right to access adequate, safe, and high-quality medical services.
Iranian nurses played a vital role in maintaining public health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, a significant portion of their professional and livelihood demands remains unaddressed. In recent years, several labor activists have faced summons, arrests, and security pressures due to peaceful protests or criticism of structural conditions. These actions violate the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and the right to independent association.
Based on professional principles and medical ethics, healthcare workers are obligated to provide medical services without any discrimination. Any pressure, threat, or interrogation of medical staff for providing care to individuals violates the fundamental principles of the right to health and the professional independence of the medical workforce.
Furthermore, the increasing trend of nurse migration driven by poor working and economic conditions has left the healthcare system facing a critical labor shortage. This situation has had a more severe impact on marginalized regions and the cities of Kurdistan, leading to reduced access to specialized care for citizens. Hana Human Rights Organization also warns of rising psychological burnout and alarming reports of suicide among medical staff; neglecting this crisis is a violation of the right to health and human dignity.
International Nurses Day is an opportunity to remind governments of their responsibility to guarantee job security, fair wages, the right to organize and independent union activity, and the provision of safe working conditions for healthcare workers. In this regard, Hana Human Rights Organization calls on the authorities to end pressures and security crackdowns on labor activists and to provide the necessary conditions to ensure the professional, union, and livelihood rights of nurses in accordance with international standards, while supporting the independence of medical staff in providing healthcare services free from threats and pressure.