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 March to 31 March 2026.

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.

Detentions and arrests

In March, at least 26 individuals were arrested across West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Ilam, Kermanshah, and Isfahan provinces. Those arrested included three activists and an artist children, while in 22 cases their specific activities remain unknown.

Of the total number of arrests, 15 were made in West Azerbaijan Province, five in Kurdistan Province, two in Ilam Province, two in Isfahan Province, and two in Kermanshah Province.

Civilian deaths during the war

Following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran, in March alone, at least 26 civilians –  including four children – were killed in air strikes carried out by the US and Israeli warplanes in the cities of Mahabad, Orumiyeh, Tehran, Salas-e Babajani, Kamyaran, and Paveh.

Security crackdowns and climate of fear across Kurdish cities

During the wartime period, a pervasive climate of fear took hold across most cities in Iranian Kurdistan, with security forces establishing checkpoints and imposing heightened security measures throughout the region.

Wartime protests and discriminatory denial of release

KHRN learned in March that following the onset of the airstrikes by the United Stated and Israel, 62 political prisoners held in the security ward known as “Ershad” at Orumiyeh Central Prison signed a letter addressed to prison officials and the supervising judge, expressing concern for their safety and the wellbeing of their families, and requesting temporary release or furlough on bail – the same rights extended to ordinary criminal prisoners.

While hundreds of non-political prisoners across Kurdistan were granted temporary release during this period, the head of Orumiyeh Central Prison informed families of political prisoners that those charged with membership in or cooperation with Kurdish parties, or with espionage, would be excluded from this measure.

Use of tear gas against protesting prisoners

After the bombardment of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Basij center near Mahabad Prison, prisoners protested their continued detention under wartime conditions by burning blankets.

Special forces subsequently entered the prison and fired tear gas at the prisoners.

In the wake of the incident, prison telephone lines were cut, and families gathered outside the facility seeking information about their relatives. Prison officials stated they would review cases individually and release some prisoners on temporary bail.

Forcible transfer of prisoners under inhumane conditions

Following protests at Mahabad Prison, 120 prisoners – including 38 political prisoners – were transferred in a heavily securitized operation to Miandoab Prison, where they were held in quarantine in two rooms without access to basic necessities.

Additionally, at least three political prisoners serving sentences of more than 10 years were separately transferred to an undisclosed location.

Fate of dozens of Kurdish detainees unknown after bombardment of security facilities

During March, warplanes struck most military-security facilities of the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Iranian Kurdistan.

Several security detention centers located within these facilities were destroyed or seriously damaged, and the fate of dozens of Kurdish citizens and activists held in these facilities remains unknown.

Compounded restrictions on political prisoners during wartime

Reports from prisons across Iranian Kurdistan in March described the imposition of severe conditions on prisoners, particularly political detainees.

All in-person visits at Orumiyeh Central Prison were suspended. Political prisoners held in the isolated “Ershad” security ward were deprived of many of their rights, and sick prisoners were prevented from being taken to the prison infirmary or outside medical facilities.

Prisoners requiring medication were additionally cut off from their medicines due to visit bans and the closure of the prison infirmary.

Food rations were reduced, prison shop access was severely limited, and prices were raised, leaving financially vulnerable prisoners facing hunger.

Detentions and arrests