Human rights violations in Iran spiraled in 2012 spotlighting abuses of freedom of speech, torture and secret executions.

In a written report to the U.N.'s top human rights body, Ahmed Shaheed pointed to an "apparent increase in the degree of seriousness" of violations in the Islamic Republic.

Shaheed highlighted "frequent and disconcerting" reports about "punitive state action" against a number of groups, including the jailing of opposition politicians, journalists and human rights campaigners.

He also expressed concern about rights violations affecting women and religious and ethnic minorities, and retaliatory action against individuals that Tehran suspects of cooperating with U.N. monitors.