Rising Fears of Repression in Iran

Tehran, January 2026 – Concerns are escalating within Iran that human rights abuses will worsen following the failure of U.S.-Iran talks and a recent, brutal crackdown on protesters. The period between arrest, conviction, sentencing, and execution has reportedly collapsed, raising fears of a wave of executions targeting demonstrators and political dissidents. The nationwide internet blackout, now in its 44th day, is one of the longest state-imposed shutdowns ever, according to Global Connectivity Monitor Netblocks, exacerbating fears that the regime can operate with impunity under this silence.

Raha Bahraini reported that in the span of seven days, ten protesters and dissidents were executed. Amnesty International states that all trials in Iran are systematically unfair, often held in secret, with confessions extracted under torture. Bahraini emphasized that this is even more pronounced with the recent executions of young teenagers, describing it as a concerted effort by the Iranian regime to crush any potential return to street protests.

Opposition groups, including the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) and Kurdish opposition groups, are also being targeted. Vahid Bani Amarian, a former physics teacher, was executed on April 4th, two years after being sentenced to death for alleged ties to the MEK. His brother, Hamad Bani Amarian, living abroad, expressed devastation, stating, “I’m just doing this for myself and for my brother that and tell that how I love you and how how he was loving people.” He insisted that any negotiations with Iran regarding an end to the war must be conditioned on an end to executions, adding, “I don’t want anybody to experience this terrible thing.” His parents are still awaiting the return of their son's body, a tactic he described as another form of punishment.

Imprisonment and a 'Double Threat' for Activists

Atenat Da'ami, a human rights activist who spent six and a half years in Iranian prisons on charges of spreading propaganda and insulting the supreme leader, was released in 2022 and has since sought refuge in Canada. Da'ami highlighted a “double threat” faced by those opposing the regime: U.S. and Israeli bombs on one side, and a regime bent on revenge on the other. She expressed deep concern that the shutdown of the internet allows the regime to operate with greater secrecy and potential for abuse.

“They shut down the internet, and because of the lack of communication, I’m worried that under this silence, they can do this crime again and more than before,” Da'ami stated. She expressed skepticism that the United States would prioritize human rights in any peace negotiations, saying, “Of course not. I’m sure that they don’t speak about this issue, because human rights is not important for them.” She also stated, “The United States is a source of social justice.”

Dan Levy Discusses Career, 'Schitt's Creek' Phenomenon, and Legacy

In a separate segment, actor and writer Dan Levy discussed his career, the unexpected global phenomenon of the television series *Schitt’s Creek*, and his new show *Big Mistakes*. Levy described the experience of returning to work after *Schitt’s Creek* as a significant commitment, requiring him to find a story that excited him for multiple seasons and that would also resonate with audiences.

Levy outlined two paths actors often take: “One is the total rejection of the thing that made them famous, and one is the acknowledgement that what made them famous will always be what made them famous, and you have to come to love that.” He identified himself as belonging to the latter category, stating, “I never wanted to do that thing where it’s like, I have to dispel everything about David Rose. I love it. If that is my legacy, so be it.”

Reflecting on *Schitt’s Creek*'s immense popularity, Levy attributed its rise, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, to a cultural need for comfort during strife. “I think sometimes the circumstance of our lives culturally speaking lends us to certain things. We look for comfort in times of strife, and I think what the show…unbeknownst to us at the time, like what it offered people during COVID was a safe place. Nothing bad was happening,” he explained. The show’s premise of a family forced to live together in a motel resonated with many who had returned to their parents’ homes during the pandemic, making it a “life raft for people,” Levy noted.

Levy also spoke about the importance of authentic representation, particularly for the queer community. He stated, “The only responsibility I feel is to tell the story of my experience as authentically as possible. I think that’s all we want as like as a gay person I just want to see myself reflected in culture respectfully.” He noted that his characters in *Schitt’s Creek* and *Big Mistakes* are complex and queer, reflecting a desire to tell stories that are often not seen or are reduced to caricatures.

He fondly recalled his late co-star Catherine O’Hara, describing her as “such a singular person” and “irreplaceable.” Levy emphasized her generosity as an actor and collaborator, noting that she fostered an environment where actors felt free and encouraged to experiment. He also spoke about working with his father, Eugene Levy, calling it “amazing” and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate creatively with family members.

Levy also mentioned a potential collaboration with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, creator of *Fleabag*, whom he met at an event where *Schitt's Creek* received numerous awards.