Kurdistan Human Rights Network

This report includes all the cases that the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has recorded and reported from across Iran through its own sources and verification mechanisms from 1 September to 30 September 2023.

Anniversary of anti-government protests

September 2023 marked the first anniversary of the government’s killing of Jina Mahsa Amini and the beginning of the Jin, Jiyan, Azadi (Woman, Life, Freedom in Kurdish) uprising.

Starting in August and continuing in September, the Islamic Republic of Iran deployed and stationed large military and security forces in different cities of Kurdistan to prevent the organising of anti-government protests and the commemorations of the victims of last year’s protests in different cities.

At the same time, more than 500 Kurdish civilians and activists were summoned and threatened by the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC), the Ministry of Intelligence and the security police, denying them any right to participate in the memorial ceremonies or engage in strikes and anti-government protests.

Security institutions also prevented the families of the deceased from holding anniversary ceremonies by exerting pressure, making phone summons, and threatening them.

There is currently no information on the fate of several family members who were detained by security forces during this period.

Military and security forces surrounded the cemeteries and burial places of the Jin, Jiyan, Azadi uprising victims in various cities, preventing their families from visiting their loved ones’ graves. These restrictions and the presence of security forces continue to persist.

On 16 September, coinciding with the anniversary of Jina Mahsa Amini’s killing, special unit forces and Revolutionary Guards stationed in more than 15 cities of Kurdistan hindered the commemoration ceremonies for Jina and other victims of the uprising.

Security forces detained Jina’s father, Amjad Amini, for several hours and continue to maintain a presence on the streets leading to Jina’s family home in Saqqez, Kurdistan Province.

The Aichi Cemetery in Saqqez also remains under the siege of Revolutionary Guards’ armoured vehicles.

On 16 September, Fardin Jafari, a mentally disabled civilian, was shot by Revolutionary Guards snipers near the Aichy cemetery in Saqqez and has been in a coma ever since.

On the same day, at least two other civilians were injured and several others arrested by military and security forces in Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province, and Mahabad, West Azerbaijan Province.

Executions

According to KHRN’s findings, Iran executed at least two prisoners for murder-related charges in the Parsiloun Prison in Khorramabad, Lorestan Province, on 30 September.

These are the executions of which the KHRN has been informed by its sources. However, the number of those executed is likely to be higher.

Femicide

At least three young women were killed by their male family members in Rabat and Sardasht in West Azerbaijan Province, and Sarpol-e Zahab in Kermanshah Province over the past month.

Kolbars and tradesmen

In September, at least two kolbars were killed and 10 others were injured in the country’s western border areas.

Of these kolbars, two were killed and eight were injured by gunfire from Iranian border guards, one was injured after he was beaten by border forces and one was injured in a landmine explosion.

Killings of civilians

On 13 September, a Kurdish civilian from Eslamabad-e Gharb, Kermanshah Province, was killed by four bullets fired by Iranian military forces in Karaj.

Torture

On 3 September, civilian Pouya Babaei was beaten to death by security forces after being arrested in Kermanshah, Kermanshah Province.

Work accidents

In September, at least four workers lost their lives in work accidents in Bukan and Mahabad in West Azerbaijan Province and Baneh in Kurdistan Province.

Detentions and arrests

Throughout September, Iranian forces arrested at least 182 civilians, including family members of the victims of the protests, activists and children.

Prison sentences

Over the past month, Iranian courts sentenced at least nine people to prison terms ranging from three months to death penalty.

Executions

Femicide

Kolbars and tradesmen

Killings of civilians

Torture

Work accidents

Detentions and arrests

Prison sentences