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 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 June to 30 June.

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 11 prisoners in June, eight being on drug-related charges and three on charges of “collaboration and espionage for Israeil”.

Seven of these executions took place in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Alborz Province, and four in Orumiyeh Central Prison.

Kurdish prisoners Edris Ali, Azad Shojaei, and Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul, who were executed on charges of “collaboration and espionage for Israeil”, were executed in secret, without being allowed final visits with their families.

Despite the fact that the Supreme Court had not yet formally communicated their death sentences to their lawyers, these three prisoners were executed in haste.

Contrary to the claims of the judiciary, the three prisoners, who worked as kolbars and tradesmen in border regions, denied all accusations of collaborating with Israel throughout their interrogations and court proceedings.

*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.

Civilian killings

On 26 June, Iranian police fatally shot Azad Ranaei, a 34-year-old Kurdish civilian from Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province.

Officers stopped his motorbike on Dr Hosseini Boulevard in Sanandaj and proceeded to search him. An argument broke out during the stop, after which one of the officers opened fire, killing Ranaei.

Femicide

In June, at least one Kurdish woman, Mahboubeh Delavari, was reported to have been a victim of femicide. The 42-year-old was killed by her husband, who hit her on the head with a flower pot.

Kolbars

Last month, at least one kolbar was shot dead and one other was wounded by Iranian border guards in the border areas of Baneh, Kurdistan Province.

Detentions and arrests

In June, Iranian forces arrested at least 45 people, including three former political prisoners, two activists and two dadkhah family members (a Persian term used for victims’ relatives and survivors seeking truth and justice).

It is also important to note that, since the recent Israeli attack, security forces in Iran have launched a renewed wave of repression in Kurdish regions, with dozens of civilians and activists arrested across several cities in Kurdistan.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Basij paramilitary forces, and special police units have set up checkpoints at the entrances to and exits from cities and are patrolling major roads, creating an atmosphere of fear.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC’s intelligence branch have summoned and threatened some Kurdish civilians and activists.

Sentences

During this period, Iranian courts sentenced at least four people to prison sentences ranging from two to 22 months.

Three of these sentences were handed down on charges related to alleged anti-state propaganda activities.