In recent years, holding Newroz ceremonies in the form of large public celebrations with Kurdish symbols, lighting fires, collective dances, epic songs and in many cases political slogans has become a tradition in the cities and villages of Kurdistan. This tradition, apart from its cultural aspect and the Newroz calendar occasion, has roots in the mythological interpretation of Newroz as a symbol of struggle…
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Security forces raided the annual meeting of the Chya the Green Organisation in the village of Nachi in Marivan, Kurdistan Province, on 10 September, arresting at least 25 members. The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has learned that while most of those detained were released after signing written undertakings, activists Madeh Khoshnavaz, Kaveh Dastan and Kaveh Karimian remain in custody. Last night, the detainees were transferred…
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Iranian security forces have arrested dozens of Kurdish civilians and activists during and after the annual Newroz (also Nowruz in Persian) celebrations in Kurdistan in the past few weeks. The security agencies of the Islamic Republic of Iran have summoned and interrogated dozens and warned them against holding Newroz celebrations in public. The Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Ministry of Intelligence,…
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Iranian intelligence agencies have summoned more than 50 Kurdish activists in many Kurdish cities before Newroz celebrations, threatening them and banning the celebrations. Every year on 20 March, Kurds in different regions celebrate Newroz (known as Nowruz in Persian) by lighting fire and dancing. But as in the years before, the Intelligence Office and the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have…
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After announcements were made on social media that Nowruz (also Newroz in Kurdish) would be celebrated by lighting fire on Taragha mountain of Bukan and Roush mountain of Saqqez, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) blocked the roads leading to these mountains, preventing people from participating in the celebrations. In an interview with the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN), a civil rights activist from Bukan…
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A group of civilians and members of the Nozhin Association have gathered in front of the Sanandaj courthouse in the morning of 20 February to protest the court decision sentencing Zara Mohammadi to five years in prison.Reportedly, Zara Mohammadi herself was also present at the rally held on the eve of the International Mother Language Day. Protestors peacefully protested against the sentence and the ban…
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As the anniversary of November 2019 uprising in Iran, many streets in Kermanshah have witnessed a large presence of military and security forces. An informed source from Kermanshah also told the Kurdistan Human Rights Network that he witnessed the arrest of a number of civilians in Azadi Square (Terminal) in Kermanshah. The source stated that the security forces in many neighbourhoods and streets of Kermanshah…
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Parviz Nasseri, arrested in November protests, was sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 2 of the Orumiyeh Revolutionary Court on charges of “cooperation with Party for Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK)”, reliable sources told the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN). The preliminary verdict was served on his lawyer yesterday. The ruling was issued while the trial of the Kurdish civilian in…
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Two sources from Saqqez and Sanandaj have told the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) that the security forces have been widely present at the burial ceremonies of Arvin Moratab and Aida Farzaneh in Behesht-e Mohammadi of Sanandaj in addition to the burial ceremonies of Rezgar Rahimi and his son Zhivan Rahimi in Saqqez. “Despite pressure and threats from security agencies to…
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In its monthly reports, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) highlights cases of human rights violations in Kurdistan and violations of the rights of Kurdish civilians in different regions and cities across Iran.
This report includes all cases recorded and reported by KHRN from across Iran through its own sources and verification mechanisms from 1 December to 31 December.
The restrictive environment for independent human rights organisations in Iran, coupled with the pressures faced by individuals subjected to human rights violations and their families, make it difficult to publish accurate and comprehensive reports.
It is therefore important to note that the statistics and information presented in this report do not cover all cases of human rights violations. This report is the result of examining news and reports published by the KHRN and fact-checking of reports published by other human rights organisations and news websites.
Executions
Iran executed at least 15 prisoners in December, seven on drug-related charges and eight for “premeditated murder”, according to KHRN’s findings.
The executions took place in Ilam Central Prison, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Mahabad Prison, Jiroft Prison, Miandoab Prison, Orumiyeh Central Prison and Yazd Central Prison.
Two of those executed were women and one was a 70-year-old man.
*Explanation: The KHRN, recognizing the fundamental right to life, publishes and records news and execution statistics without regard to the ethnic background of individuals and the location of the execution. All cases reported to the organisation by credible sources are published after thorough fact-checking.
Kolbars
In December, at least one kolbar was shot dead and another was injured by Iranian border guards.
Another kolbar lost his life due to frostbite in Baneh in late December.
Civilian killings
In mid-December, at least two Kurdish civilians were killed by the Law Enforcement Forces in Javanrud and Tehran.
Detentions and arrests
Over the past month, Iranian forces arrested at least 62 individuals, including three children.
At least three of the detained civilians were sent to Oshnavieh and Naqadeh prisons to serve prison sentences.
Sentences
During this period, Iranian courts sentenced at least eight people to punishments ranging from one month in prison to five years and 15 days of imprisonment.