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 July to 31 July.

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

According to KHRN’s findings, Iran executed at least four prisoners in July; two for “premeditated murder”, one on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel arz), and one for drug-related charges.

Kurdish prisoners of conscience Anvar Khezri and Khosrow Besharat were the two prisoners executed on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel arz) in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Alborz Province, after 14 years in prison.

Kurdish prisoner of conscience Kamran Sheikheh was the prisoner executed on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel arz) in Orumiyeh Central Prison in West Azerbaijan Province after 14 years in prison.

Sheikheh had been sentenced to death alongside six other Kurdish prisoners of conscience, Ghassem Abasteh, Ayoub Karimi, Davoud Abdollahi, Farhad Salimi, Anvar Khezri, and Khosrow Besharat.

In recent months, all six of his co-defendants were also executed 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

In July, four women were killed by their husbands in Bojnurd, Bandar Abbas, Salmas and Sanandaj.

Two of the women were killed by their husbands, one by her father and another by the man she refused to marry.

Kolbars and tradesmen

During this period, at least five kolbars were killed and 14 injured by gunfire from Iranian border guards.

Civilian killings

In July, at least two Kurdish civilians were killed by Iranian forces in Baneh, Kurdistan Province, and Mahabad, West Azerbaijan Province.

Rebwar Rashidi was shot and wounded by border guards in Baneh on 7 July and died on 21 July due to the severity of his injuries.

On 8 June, Ahmad Tarman, 50, was shot by law enforcement forces during a chase in Bagh-e Siseh neighbourhood of Mahabad.

Detentions and arrests

Throughout July, Iranian forces arrested at least 32 individuals, including activists, religious figures and members of justice-seeking families.

At least four of the detained civilians were sent to Sanandaj and Naqadeh Prison to serve prison sentences.

Sentences

Over the past month, Iranian courts have sentenced at least seven people to punishments ranging from four months suspended imprisonment to the death penalty.

Executions

Femicide

Kolbars and tradesmen

Civilian killings

Detentions and arrests

Sentences