Kurdistan Human Rights Network

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 citizens 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 November to 30 November.

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

In November, Iranian authorities executed at least eight prisoners across various prisons in the country.

Out of the total, six individuals were executed on drug-related charges and two individuals on charges of “premeditated murder”.

Executions were concentrated in a few facilities. Five executions took place in Orumiyeh Central Prison, two in Kermanshah Central Prison, and one in Yazd Central Prison.

*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.

Femicide

On 16 November, 42-year-old Namam Farnoush was shot dead by her husband in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan Province, after asking for a divorce.

Civilian killings

In November, at least three Kurdish men were killed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the law enforcement forces in West Azerbaijan Province.

Additionally, Nader (Shirdel) Jameh-Shourani, a prisoner from Kermanshah, Kermanshah Province, lost his life after spending about 20 years in Kermanshah Central Prison. Although the authorities claimed he lost his life due to a heart attack, his family have said that he did not have any health problems. According to relatives of the family, Jameh-Shourani had clashed several times with the prison guard forces over the past few years and had repeatedly been subjected to torture. He had even been injured several times as a result of this torture and admitted to hospital.

Kolbars

On 10 November, a landmine explosion severed the right leg of a kolbar at the ankle in the border areas of Nowsud, Kermanshah Province.

Detentions and arrests

In November, at least 25 individuals were arrested across West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and North Khorasan provinces. Those arrested included former political prisoners, activists and an artist, while in many cases their specific activities remain unknown.

Of the total number of arrests, 16 were made in Kurdistan Province, eight in West Azerbaijan Province, and one in North Khorasan Province.

Of those detained in November, at least five were sent to prison to serve their sentences and three were taken to the Ministry of Intelligence detention centre in Sanandaj.

The fate of many others remains unknown, as their place of detention and legal status have not been disclosed.

Sentences

In November, Iranian courts handed down sentences to at least 10 Kurdish individuals ranging from six months of suspension from service to five years in prison.

Additionally, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court overturned the death sentence issued for a Kurdish man on charges of “espionage for Israel”.