Report on human rights violations in Rojhilat in October

Human rights violations against Kurdish civilians and activists in the Kurdish region of Iran continued in October 2024.

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 October to 31 October.

KHRN noted that 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 12 prisoners in October. While six of these men were executed on charges of “premeditated murder”, six others were executed for drug-related charges.

Civilian killings

On 4 October, Kurdish tradesman Yousef Dashti was killed after anti-smuggling police officers opened fire on his vehicle during a pursuit on the road between Bukan and Mahabad in West Azerbaijan Province.

The police, suspecting that Dashti, 38, was carrying contraband, fired dozens of shots at the car and hit him with a bullet, causing the car to overturn and killing the tradesman.

Kolbars and tradesmen

In October, Iranian border guards killed at least four kolbars and injured two others in Nowsud, Piranshahr, Sardasht, and Baneh.

Detentions and arrests

Over the past month, Iranian forces have arrested at least 15 civilians and activists.

At least two of the detained civilians were sent to Saqqez and Qorveh prisons to serve their sentences.

Sentences

In October, Iranian courts sentenced at least nine people to punishments ranging from three months to three years in prison.