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.

KHRN released a new report including all cases recorded and reported by KHRN from across Iran through its own sources and verification mechanisms from 1 February to 29 February.

Accordingly, 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.

Executions

According to KHRN’s findings, Iran executed at least one prisoner in February, identified as Iraj Paki.

Paki was a 38-year-old father of three children who was arrested about four years ago on drug trafficking charges.

*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 27 February, law enforcement forces opened fire on a private car in the village of Savan in Sardasht, West Azerbaijan Province, resulting in the death of Kurdish tradesman Kavan Amjadi-Nia.

Law enforcement forces stationed at a checkpoint in the village followed Amjadi-Nia’s car, cornered it and fired at it even though there were no foreign goods in the vehicle.

Deaths and killings in prisons

On 26 February, Kurdish political prisoner Shahin Gallehdari took his own life due to the pressure and torture by the Ministry of Intelligence.

Gallehdari, 50, from the village of Haki in Orumiyeh, West Azerbaijan Province, was serving a two-year sentence in Orumiyeh Central Prison.

Landmine explosions

In February, landmine explosions in Gilan-e Gharb, Kermanshah Province, resulted in the death of one person and injuries to three others.

Kolbars and tradesmen

In February, at least two kolbars were shot dead by Iranian border guards and one died of frostbite in the western border areas of the country.

A total of 50 kolbars were injured during this period. Of these, 41 were shot by Iranian border guards, three were injured in road accidents, two fell from heights at the border, two fell while being chased by border guards, one was stabbed by border guards and one was beaten by border guards.

Work-related accidents

At least two workers died in work-related accidents in Kermanshah and Orumiyeh in the past month.

Detentions and arrests

Throughout February, Iranian forces arrested at least 29 civilians, including seven activists and two artists.

At least six of the detained civilians were sent to prisons in Sanandaj, Bukan, Naqadeh, and Oshnavieh to serve prison sentences.

Sentences

In the past month, Iranian courts have sentenced at least 17 people to punishments ranging from fines to the death penalty.