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 January to 31 January.

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. Therefore, the statistics and information presented in the report do not cover all cases of human rights violations.

Executions

Iran executed at least 12 prisoners in January, seven on charges of “premeditated murder”, three on drug-related charges and two for rape, according to KHRN’s findings.

The executions took place in Dizel Abad Prison in Kermanshah, Kermanshah Province, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Mahabad Prison, and Orumiyeh Central Prison.

Femicide

At least six cases of femicide were reported in January in Kermanshah, Ilam, Bukan and Piranshahr.

In one case, a seven-year-old girl, Niyan Jabraeilpour, lost her life after being tortured and raped by a family acquaintance in Bukan on 16 January.

Two others were children, aged 16 and 17, one of whom was the victim of a shooting and the other of a stabbing by her father.

Kolbars

In January, at least one kolbar was shot dead by Iranian border guards, three were wounded after being shot and one was injured after being beaten by these forces.

Civilian killings

On 5 January, Mohammad Azizi, a 35-year-old Kurdish civilian from Qasr-e Shirin, Kermanshah Province, was fatally shot by law enforcement officers at the Parvizkhan border terminal in the city.

The officers shot Azizi three times in the shoulder and abdomen at close range while attempting to arrest him, resulting in his death.

Landmine explosions

On 16 January, Kurdish civilians Kamal Ehsan-Bakhsh and Najieh Jafari were seriously injured in a landmine explosion while the couple were grazing their livestock in the Meymak border area of Ilam Province.

Ehsan-Bakhsh’s left leg was amputated, while his wife, Jafari, suffered injuries to her eye and abdomen.

Detentions and arrests

Over the past month, Iranian forces arrested at least 94 individuals, including 26 activists.

At least nine of the detained civilians were sent to prison to serve prison sentences.

Many of those arrested are believed to have been targeted for their involvement in the recent general strike and protests against the death sentences handed down to Kurdish political prisoners Pakhshan Azizi and Warisha Moradi.

Sentences

During this period, Iranian courts sentenced at least seven people to prison sentences ranging from six to 29 months.

Additionally, in early January, Branch 39 of Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence issued against Kurdish political prisoner Pakhshan Azizi on charges of “armed insurrection” (baghi).