International Workers' Day: At Least 170 Kurdish Border Couriers, 70 Workers, and 18 Local Traders Killed or Injured in 2024
To mark May 1st, International Workers' Day, Kurdpa Human Rights Organization has released a statistical report documenting the number of Kurdish kulbars (border couriers), workers, and local traders (kasbkars) killed or injured in Iran’s Kurdistan region during the Iranian calendar year 1403 (March 2024–March 2025).
The statistics are based on verified and documented cases compiled by Kurdpa’s Statistical Center. Due to state repression, censorship, the absence of independent media, and the lack of human rights monitoring organizations within Iran, the actual figures are likely higher.
Overall Casualties in 2024:
Kulbars: 170 killed or injured
39 killed
131 injured
Workers: 70 killed or injured
60 killed
10 injured
Kasbkars: 18 killed or injured
12 killed
6 injured
1. Kulbars: 170 Killed or Injured
Out of the 170 total kulbar casualties:
39 lost their lives
131 sustained injuries
8 were under the age of 18 (1 killed, 7 injured)
Primary Causes:
Direct fire by Islamic Republic armed forces: 127 cases (over 74%)
Falls from heights: 13 cases
Combined gunfire and fall from height: 1 case
Beatings by military forces: 13 cases
Beating combined with shooting: 3 cases
Frostbite/blizzards: 4 cases
Fall plus frostbite: 1 case
Landmine explosions: 3 cases
Heart attack during courier activity: 2 cases
Tendon rupture while carrying goods: 1 case
Injury during military pursuit: 1 case
Death due to vehicle overturn while transporting goods: 1 case
Geographical Hotspots:
Most killings occurred near Nowsud and Baneh borders, among the few remaining accessible routes for kulbar activity.
Marivan and Hawraman ranked second in incident frequency.
Other routes such as Tateh Heights, Saqqez, and Sardasht have become heavily militarized, limiting access.
Marital Status Data (Among 50 Identified Cases):
39 married
11 single
2. Workers: 70 Deaths and Injuries
Among 70 Kurdish laborers involved in workplace incidents:
60 were killed
10 were injured
Primary Causes:
Falls from heights: 33 cases
Electrocution: 13 cases
Workshop explosions: 6 cases
Gas inhalation (carbon monoxide poisoning): 4 cases
Building collapses (roof/wall): 4 cases
Equipment falls: 3 cases
Falling into a well: 1 case
Run over by bulldozer: 1 case
Traffic accidents: 2 cases
Other incidents: 2 cases
Cross-Border and Non-Kurdish Regions:
2 fatalities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
3 in Turkey
7 in other non-Kurdish Iranian provinces
Additional Notable Incidents:
14 workers from Maku suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in a garment factory.
16 seasonal laborers were injured in traffic accidents en route to farms in Kermanshah and Oshnavieh.
3. Kasbkars: 18 Killed or Injured
Out of 18 cases involving kasbkars:
12 were killed
6 were injured
Causes of Death and Injury:
Gunfire by Islamic Republic forces: 13 cases
Vehicle overturns during military pursuit: 3 cases
Fall into river during military pursuit: 1 case
Physical assault by security forces: 1 case
Additionally, 8 civilians were fired upon under suspicion of smuggling.
3 were fatally shot
Clarifications on Terminology and Civilian Casualties:
Due to the practice of Iranian security forces targeting kasbkars near border and inter-city roads, civilian bystanders are frequently shot under the presumption of smuggling. Many of these individuals are either:
Local residents living near border regions
Farmers and foragers collecting seasonal wild plants
Distinction Between Kulbars and Kasbkars:
Kulbars: Individuals carrying goods on their backs across mountainous border paths
Kasbkars: Individuals using pack animals or vehicles to transport goods near borders and connecting roads
Report compiled by: Awin Mostafazadeh
