Monthly report on the human rights situation in Kurdistan in March 2021

This is KMMK’s monthly report, March 2021, on the human rights situation in eastern Kurdistan. This report summarizes key human rights issues on events during January 2021, including executions, detentions, homicide, Police shootings and state terrorism and violence. Data is collected from several sources of KMMK, including direct reports.

This report does not include every issue and event. The absence of an issue is due to resource limitations, restriction to access to the country, the availability of information, and silencing independent voices, civil and human rights groups by the Iranian government.

In January 2021 Iranian government continued its disregard for basic human rights by discrimination, illegal detention of Kurdish citizens, torture and closing off any possibility of organized political activities that are not fully aligned with its propaganda.

Execution:

In February, two people, Naser Walizade and Arash Waresi, were executed for reprisals. Two more people were killed in direct fire by the Iranian forces that month.

Arrest and imprisonment

According to statistics gathered this month, 50 citizens and civil and political activists were arrested in Eastern Kurdistan.

Kolbar and merchants:

Kolbar (Kurdish: کۆڵبەر‎) is a worker who is employed to carry goods on his/her back across the borders. Most Kolbars live in eastern Kurdistan and they come from the poorest regions in the area. Kolbars are mostly considered illegal and have no insurance, retirement plans and unions.

In this month several Kolbars and merchants have been shot directly by Iranian border forces. This month, 6 Kolbar and Worker were killed and 11 Kolber and Worker were injured.

Suicide and self-immolation:
In January 2021 at least ten individuals (7 females and 15 males) committed suicide and self-immolation.

Maine
Two people were killed and injured by landmines this month.

KMMK encourages Kurdish people in eastern Kurdistan to practice their basic human rights and to report to international institutions and to the world, the discriminations and violations of human rights by Iranian regime.
Kurdistan human rights Association