During the past days, following a protest rally in various cities of Iran against corruption, oppression and injustice, citizens of Kermanshah held a protest rally for the second consecutive day in Azadi Square this morning. According to videos posted on the social networks of protesters in Kermanshah yesterday and today, the protestors demanded the release of political prisoners in addition to shouting slogans against the…
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During the past few days, a Kurdish student was sentenced to 50 lashes and fines by Saqez Criminal Court on charges of disrupting the public order. “Zamaneh Zivia, a final year law student of Payam-e-Noor University of Saqez, who was arrested at her home in Nov 6 following street celebrations in support of the referendum for Kurdistan Independence by security forces at home. This Kurdish…
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Ramin Hussein Panahi, a Kurdish political prisoner who has been detained at the Sanandaj Intelligence Detention Centre since June 23, has gone on a hunger strike since Dec 5 in protest to his unclear status and the refusal of authorities to transfer him to Sanandaj Prison. Amjad Hussein Panahi, brother of this political prisoner confirmed the news of his brother’s hunger strike and told Kurdistan…
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Last night, a number of kolbars were arrested, beaten and disrespected for several hours on their way back at the border areas of Sardasht by the border guards although they were not carrying any foreign goods. “On the evening of December 06, in the Dasht Kapran region, a group of Kolbars from Sardasht, were arrested, beaten up and abused by Border guards in their…
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A death row Kurdish student prisoner, who had gone on dry food hunger strike on Oct 25, 2017, in protest against his unfair sentence and being kept in the ward for drug crime prisoners, ended his strike after a week. “On 31 September 2017, Abubakr Rostami, who was on dry food hunger strike, ended his dry food hunger strike after the prison manager promised to…
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A Kurdish political prisoner in Orumiyeh Central Prison was transferred from solitary confinement to the prison ward. “On Sunday, October 19, Mostafa Davoodi, a Kurdish political prisoner detained in ward 12 (section dedicated to political prisoners) in Orumiyeh Prison, was transferred to the prison ward after spending four days in solitary confinement. On Sunday, October 14, this prisoner was transferred to solitary confinement for unknown…
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Five Kurdish political and religious prisoners were beaten up by dozens of Prisoner of Dangerous Crimes and authorities in ward 1 (Psychotherapy Section) of Orumiyeh Central Prison before being transferred to solitary confinement cells. “On Wednesday, October 18, five Kurdish political and religious prisoners- including Kamran Sheikh, Khosrow Besharat, Anwar Khezari, Ramin Roozban and Siamak Ashrafi- detained in ward 1 (Psychotherapy Section) were severely…
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A political prisoner detained in Ward 12 of Orumiyeh Central Prison was transferred to solitary confinement on the orders of prison authorities for unknown reasons. “On Sunday, October 14, Mustafa Davoodi, a Kurdish political prisoner detained in ward 12 (section dedicated to political prisoners) in Orumiyeh Prison, was transferred to solitary confinement for unknown reasons,” an informed source told Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN). “This political…
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Over the past few days, the Border Regiment at the border between Paveh and Nosoud have reportedly banned people from commuting after 9 pm in addition to carrying out military manoeuvres in order to create an atmosphere of fear and terror in the streets of Nosoud. “Following a rigorous verbal conflict between Kolbars and the border guards in the Ghalaga area at Nosoud Border where…
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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 May to 31 May.
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 May, nine being on drug-related charges and six on charges of “premeditated murder”.
The majority of these executions took place in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Alborz Province.
*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
At least four Kurdish women were reported to be victims of femicide in May. Two were killed by their husbands, one by her son-in-law and one by a suitor.
All four cases occurred in Kermanshah, Kermanshah Province, and the method of murder in all cases was gunshot.
Kolbars
Last month, at least three kolbars were shot dead by Iranian border guards in the border areas of Kurdistan and Kermanshah provinces, while two others were wounded in the border areas of Kurdistan Province.
Detentions and arrests
In May, Iranian forces arrested at least 27 people, six of whom were sent to prison to serve their sentences.
According to the information obtained by the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN), at least seven of the remaining 21 detainees were released on bail, while the situation of the other 14 remains unknown.
Sentences
During this period, Iranian courts sentenced at least seven people to prison sentences ranging from eight months to two years.
Also, the Supreme Court rejected the second appeal for a retrial of Hatem Ozdemir, a Kurdish political prisoner with Turkish citizenship, and upheld his death sentence.
Ozdemir was sentenced to death in May 2024 by Branch Three of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Orumiyeh, West Azerbaijan Province, presided over by Judge Najafzadeh, on charges of “enmity against God” (moharebeh). In September 2024, Branch Nine of the Supreme Court upheld the sentence.
With this latest rejection, Ozdemir’s execution is now even more imminent.
Additionally, in May, Branch 31 of the Court of Administrative Justice upheld the dismissal of Somayyeh Akhtar-Shomar, a 37-year-old Kurdish teacher from Marivan, Kurdistan Province, with 17 years of service.
The original decision to dismiss the Kurdish teacher was taken on 17 March 2024 by the Primary Disciplinary Committee of Civil Servants in Kurdistan Province.