Sources of the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) in various cities of Iranian Kurdistan report that a score of civilians have been summoned and interrogated by security agencies over the past month for allegedly publishing information in favour of boycotting the upcoming presidential election. According to these sources, in the past month, the offices of the Ministry of Intelligence and the Intelligence Organisation of the…
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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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The central selection board of the department of education in Kurdistan province, linked to the intelligence organisation, has dismissed Mohammad Mansouri, a Kurdish member of a Quran School, from his teaching job in the Naysar Vocational School in Sanandaj, sources told the Kurdistan Human Rights Network. A selection procedure – known as “Gozinesh” – is usually carried out for state officials and employees in…
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“On November 17, the trial of Morteza Haghbayan, a cyber activist from Sanandaj and the director of the “Amak” telegram channel, was held at Branch 104 of the Shahid Beheshti Judicial Complex in Sanandaj”, a reliable source told the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN). The media activist was charged with “disclosing government documents” and “slandering and spreading lies” through the publication of articles on the…
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“On October 1, 2020, five Cyberspace activists in Saqqez were summoned to court by the complaint of the former mayor of the city”, an informed source told the Kurdistan Human Rights Network(KHRN). Fardin Mostafaei- director of “Saqqez Rudaw” channel, Keyvan Jalali- director, Zahed Sharifpour- editor of “Wakawi” channel, Hiwa Majidi- director of “Sakapress” channel and Mostafa Hamdi- director of “Persman” group in Saqqez, were summoned…
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Yesterday, security forces simultaneously arrested five Kurdish civil rights activists from Saqqez, Armia Ranjbari, Ali Ghaderi, Hemen Karimi, Hiwa and Voria Amini, and transferred them to an unknown location, informed sources told the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN). A reliable source in Saqqez gas reported that security forces had searched the family home and confiscated their personal belongings. There is still no news about the whereabouts…
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With the outbreak of the second wave of Coronavirus in Kurdistan province in recent weeks, which is much wider than the first wave, Kurdish civil and media activists have criticised the performance of provincial officials in the online channels and media. Following the rise of these criticisms, the Baneh governor’s office has sent a letter to the prosecutor and called for a crackdown on critics…
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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.