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 December to 31 December 2025.

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 December, Iranian authorities executed at least five prisoners in Naqadeh, Orumiyeh, Karaj and Ilam prisons.

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

*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

Over the past month, two women were killed in separate femicide cases in Bukan and Kuhdasht: one was murdered by her former husband, while the other was poisoned by her father, brother and uncle.

Civilian killings

In December, one Kurdish man was killed by gunfire from Turkey’s Border Guard forces in the border areas of Maku and another was killed by Iranian Law Enforcement forces in Showt.

Kolbars

On 20 December, a kolbar was wounded after being shot by Iranian border guards in the Tateh border heights in Hawraman.

Detentions and arrests

In December, at least 76 individuals were arrested across West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Ilam, Kermanshah, and Razavi Khorasan provinces. Those arrested included a child, a lawyer, a blogger and at least 10 activists, while in many cases their specific activities remain unknown.

Of the total number of arrests, 57 were made in West Azerbaijan Province, 13 in Kurdistan Province, four in Ilam Province, one in Kermanshah and one in Razavi Khorasan Province.

Of those detained in December, at least four were sent to prison to serve their sentences, four were released and seven were released on bail.

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

Sentences

In December, Iranian courts handed down sentences to at least seven Kurdish individuals, ranging from fines to the death penalty.

Additionally, the Supreme Court overturned the death sentence handed down to Kurdish political prisoner Verisheh (Wirishe) Moradi, ruling that her case contained serious investigative flaws.