Report on 6 Months of Structural Repression; More Than 1,430 Gross Human Rights Violations in Kurdistan

This documented report provides a comprehensive summary of the scope, patterns, structural dimensions, and statistics of systematic human rights violations against Kurdish citizens in Iran during the first half of 2026, the details, identities, and specifications of which have been recorded by Kurdpa. The primary focus of this report is on the acute phase of repression following the nationwide protests of January 2026, alongside an analysis of the human and civil impacts of the recent conflict.

The geographical scope of this documentation encompasses the provinces of Kurdistan, Kermanshah, West Azerbaijan, Ilam, North Khorasan, and Razavi Khorasan. It simultaneously covers the status of Kurdish citizens arrested or killed in other major Iranian cities (such as Tehran, Karaj, and Mashhad) as well as the victims of cross-border missile and drone attacks in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Kurdpa explicitly emphasizes that due to widespread internet blackouts, the enforcement of severe security measures, engineered secrecy by intelligence agencies, and threats or arrests targeting victims' families, the true extent of repression and the state killing apparatus is far broader than the figures listed below. The statistics presented in this balance sheet represent exclusively "strictly verified identities" and should not be regarded as final figures.

Statistical Overview Representation

In the first half of 2026, a total of 1,431 independent cases of violations of the right to life, deprivation of liberty, torture, and militarization of public spaces targeting Kurdish citizens were recorded:

• Killings in the January 2026 Protests: Verified identities of 231 Kurdish victims (including 15 women and 20 children); targeted killing of victims using military weapons, and recorded details of 63 injured individuals.
• The Execution Machine (15-Year Record): Execution of 30 Kurds (including 8 political prisoners, 6 of whose forced confessions were broadcast) out of 359 total executions nationwide in the first half of 2026; secret executions of 46 political prisoners over a 5-month period. Verified identities of 980 executed Kurds in the 15-year balance sheet (accounting for 30% of all political executions in Iran).
• Security Detentions and Torture: Verified identities of 654 Kurdish detainees (including 30 women and 40 children); documentation of 11 cases of forced confessions with covered faces, 12 cases of severe physical torture, and 8 cases of shootings or beatings during arrest.
• Militarization of Civilian Life: Implementation of an unannounced martial law strategy in 12 cities, 40 cases of requisitioning public facilities (hospitals in Saqqez and Baneh, schools, and mosques) as human shields, and punitive exile of 150 protesting prisoners in Mahabad Prison.
• Consequences of War and Cross-Border Attacks: Deaths of 29 non-combatants and 6 civilians domestically; launching of over 830 missiles and drones into the Kurdistan Region resulting in 20 deaths (9 Kurdish Peshmerga, 3 civilians, among others).
• Landmine Victims (14-Year Record): 2 fatalities in the first half of 2026. In longitudinal data, 483 civilians fell victim (131 killed, 352 wounded), including 97 Kolbars and 61 children, accompanied by political suspension of cases and a 73% rate of permanent disability.
• Structural Killing of Kolbars (15-Year Record): 2 killed and 4 injured in the first half of 2026. In the 15-year balance sheet, a total of 2,613 Kolbars became victims (667 killed, 1,946 injured), including 43 children. Direct gunfire by military forces accounts for 73% of these casualties.

Following this section, detailed documentation, structural patterns of civil rights violations, and field analyses for each of these 7 sections are presented separately.

1. Protesters Killed and Injured (January 2026 / Dey 1404)

Casualty Statistics and Demographics: The Kurdpa organization has verified the primary identities of 231 Kurdish citizens killed during the January nationwide protests. The peak period of the killings occurred on January 8 and 9, with the victim demographics including 15 women, 20 minors under the age of 18, 17 middle-aged individuals, and the remainder among young adults.

Geographical Distribution and Occupational Diversity: 109 of the victims lost their lives outside Kurdistan (primarily in Tehran, Karaj, and Mashhad); other recorded cases include 92 in Kermanshah, 17 in Ilam, 14 in Razavi Khorasan, and 11 in North Khorasan. Occupationally, the deceased include 18 laborers, 13 athletes, 8 university students, 6 healthcare workers, 3 school students, 1 professor, 1 teacher, 2 engineers, and 2 office employees.

Tools of Repression and Lethal Force: The vast majority of victims were killed by direct live ammunition. At least 9 individuals were killed by pellet gunfire, and 2 died as a result of baton strikes or under torture in detention centers.

Confiscation of Bodies and Fabricated Narratives: The IRGC Intelligence Organization and the Ministry of Intelligence coerced families into accepting fabricated narratives (classifying deaths as falls from heights or falsely attributing victims to the Basij). Furthermore, reports of extortion and the "selling" of corpses were documented—including the release of "Golaleh Mahmoudi-Azar's" body in exchange for 700 million Toman, forced burials conducted by security personnel, and the arrest of relatives at funeral services.

Primary Focal Points of Repression and Strikes:

• Malekshahi Incident and Hospital Raid (January 3): Bloody repression against unarmed civilians in Malekshahi, Ilam, culminated in a two-day siege of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam by Special Units, the firing of tear gas at families, and the disruption of medical treatment to detain injured protesters.
• January 8 Massacre (Kermanshah): Following a general strike by merchants across 20 towns in Kurdistan, large-scale demonstrations emerged in Kermanshah neighborhoods (Darreh Derizh, Elahiyeh, Nobahar, Rashidi), which were met with direct fire from the IRGC and a complete internet blackout.
• Military Formations in Tehran: Implementation of layered suppression techniques (tear gas, pellet guns, Kalashnikov rifles, and snipers), which led to the targeted killing of Kurdish citizen "Saeed Shahgoli" via a fatal shot to the throat.

Status of the Injured and Information Blackout: Due to the risk of arrest at medical facilities, the majority of injured individuals concealed their wounds. Nevertheless, Kurdpa registered the details of 63 injured individuals (predominantly in Kermanshah, Ilam, Tehran, and Bojnourd), of whom 7 were wounded by live military rounds and 55 by pellet shotguns.

2. Longitudinal and Structural Execution Data over 15 Years (2012 – First Half of 2026)

• First Half of 2026 Statistics: Out of more than 359 executions nationwide in Iran, Kurds with 30 individuals and Balochs with 28 individuals represent the highest numbers among ethnic executions. Nine of those executed were women, and four individuals were hanged in public.
• Unprecedented Surge in Political Executions: Over a span of just five months (January 17, 2026, to June 16, 2026), death sentences for 46 political and conscientious prisoners were carried out in a rushed and covert manner—marking the highest figure in the shortest timeframe since the 1980s. This figure includes 20 protesters from the January 2026 demonstrations, 14 individuals accused of espionage (reflecting an unprecedented rise in 2025 and 2026), 11 individuals charged with Baghi (armed rebellion), and one protester from the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement; forced confession videos of 30 of these individuals were broadcast.
• 15-Year Longitudinal Chart (2012 to 2026): Out of a total of at least 9,078 executions in the country (with a record 1,563 cases in 2025, including 250 women, 50 child offenders, and 297 public hangings), the identities of 980 Kurdish citizens have been verified.
• Index of Structural and Ethnic Oppression: Although Kurds constitute slightly over 10% of Iran's total population, they account for 30% of all political executions (45 out of 149 individuals) and 82% of all ideological/religious executions (24 out of 29 individuals) across the country.

Systematic Patterns of Human Rights Violations:

• Enforced Disappearance of Bodies: Failure to return the remains of executed Kurdish prisoners to their families in over 95% of cases.
• Denial of the Right to Legal Defense: Absolute deprivation of independent legal representation and the engineered manipulation of cases by state-appointed security attorneys (as seen in the case of Mehrdad Mohammadinia).
• Multi-layered Pressures: Geographical torture (transferring detainees to Tehran and provincial capitals), economic retaliation against families (revocation of subsidies and pensions), localized disenfranchisement alongside ethnic animosity expressed by non-local judges in Kurdistan, and the utilization of a cycle of "preventive executions" to intimidate society.

3. Detainees (First Half of 2026)

• Statistics and Geography: Kurdpa has verified the identities of 654 Kurdish detainees (540 in the January 2026 protests and 114 subsequently; including 30 women and 40 children). The provinces of Ilam, Kermanshah, and North Khorasan recorded the highest numbers of arrests.
• State Secrecy on Figures: Official state media, without specifying identities, reported the arrest of more than 300 individuals in Kurdistan (158 in Kermanshah, 94 in Kurdistan, 25 in Ilam, 11 in West Azerbaijan, and 5 in North Khorasan) on charges of "espionage and separatism." The Judiciary also announced the detention of 3,292 individuals under the "Law on Increasing Penalties for Cooperation with Hostile States."
• Patterns of Arrest and Violence: Arrests occurred through both mass sweeps (targeting protesters) and targeted operations (preventive suppression of activists, artists, and families). Kurdpa documented the identities of 41 individuals subjected to severe beatings and 8 individuals who suffered torture or direct gunfire during arrest. This pattern was accompanied by armed raids, the destruction or arson of workplaces (such as Cafe Rahmat Rashidi and Cafe Mohsen Bavier in Ilam, as well as the homes of Yaghoub Mohammadi, Mullah Aboubakr Yosefi, and Younes Mousapour), and the harassment or injury of family members (such as Karo Menbari and Masoud Khalili).
• Legal Deprivations and Security Wards: Detainees kept in isolation within newly established security wards (such as those in Mahabad and Dizelabad Prison in Kermanshah) have been denied access to independent legal counsel, family visits, and phone calls. Exorbitant bail demands have blocked temporary release for low-income detainees (such as Mohammadamin Maftouhi, a 16-year-old under the care of the State Welfare Organization, and Seyed Khalil Rasouli, who was shot in the leg during arrest and sentenced without legal representation). In high-profile cases, independent lawyers are entirely excluded or competent court-appointed counsel are removed (as seen in the case of Mehrdad Mohammadinia).
• Forced Confessions and Severe Torture: Kurdpa confirmed the identities of 11 individuals whose televised forced confessions were broadcast with covered faces. The government also released group confession videos (such as the "Maskh" project in Kermanshah featuring 8 individuals, and a 3-person video from Ilam). Kurdpa has documented the severe torture of 12 individuals: torn ear membrane of Mohammad Abbaszadeh; torture of Abbas Keihani (a judo champion); hunger strike of Ebrahim Rostami; torture of Mobin Mohammadzadeh; broken teeth and ribs of Saeed Piri; severe physical trauma to Ali Babri; prolonged solitary confinement of Saeed Badpa; broken jaw and nose of Arshia Gheysarbeigi; 80 days of torture endured by Rahim Shilani and Azad Rasoulifar; pulled fingernails of Shelir Mam-Qaderi; and severe torture of Keyvan Zandkarimi.

Detainees Facing Heavy Sentences and Death Penalty Risks:

• Arshia Gheysarbeigi: Charged with "Corruption on Earth" based on confessions extracted under torture, placing him at immediate risk of execution.
• Alireza Ghasemnejad, Armin Asadian, and Ahmadreza Kouhzadiani: Facing heavy sentences as alleged "protest leaders" in Ilam.
• Soroush Karami (18 years old): Held in incommunicado solitary confinement in Kermanshah for over 6 months under the charge of Moharebeh (enmity against God).
• Danial Niazi (18 years old): Detained for over 5 months, formally charged with Moharebeh, and at risk of a death sentence.

4. Militarization of Civilian Life and Civil Repression (January to June 2026 / Dey 1404 to Khordad 1405)

Structural Analysis and Geography: Based on over 40 field reports recorded by Kurdpa, the regime implemented a strategy of "militarizing cities and suspending civil rights" across three provinces: Kurdistan (Sanandaj, Saqqez, Marivan, Baneh, Kamyaran, Sarvabad), West Azerbaijan (Urmia, Mahabad, Sardasht, Oshnavieh), and Kermanshah (Paveh, Ravansar).

Five Mechanisms of Unannounced Martial Law:

• Forced Evictions and Military Deployment: Mandatory evacuation of homes and shops surrounding Enqelab Boulevard and the "Kurd Mall" market in Saqqez; deployment of heavy artillery to Saqqez and positioning of military hardware at the Sanandaj Judiciary complex, prompting civilian flight.
• Roadside Blockades and Proxy Forces: Setup of checkpoints and digital device searches in Kamyaran, Sanandaj, and Ravansar; installation of laser systems in Marivan alongside the deployment of foreign militia forces (Hashd al-Shaabi and Hezbollah).
• Curfews with "Shoot-to-Kill" Orders: Enactment of absolute movement bans along the border zones of Marivan, Baneh, Paveh, and Sardasht. The Baneh Governorate officially declared that civilians bear sole responsibility for any resulting lethal risks.
• Digital Repression and Starlink Tracking: Nighttime raids on the homes of activists and athletes in Saqqez, accompanied by the deployment of mobile tracking patrol vehicles to detect and confiscate Starlink satellite internet equipment.
• Unmarked Vehicles and Local Informants ("Jash"): Patrols by masked operatives in unmarked vehicles in Saqqez, transfer of military supplies to the homes of local informants, and military parades featuring Katyusha rocket launchers in Sardasht.

Requisitioning of Civilian Facilities (Human Shields): Forcible conversion of critical public infrastructure into military outposts:

• Healthcare Facilities: Occupation and transformation of Seyyed al-Shohada Hospital (Saqqez) and Salahaddin Ayoubi General Hospital (Baneh) into fortified bases; forced discharge of patients at Tohid, Besat, and Kowsar hospitals in Sanandaj.
• Educational and Religious Sites: Troop deployments inside schools in Sardasht and Oshnavieh, as well as Payame Noor University in Sardasht; occupation of mosques in the villages of Biewran and Gowgjeh (120 armed personnel), alongside Imam Ja'far Sadiq Mosque in Oshnavieh.
• Sports and Administrative Facilities: Requisitioning of "Mosek 2" Sports Hall in Marivan and "Jalili Khosrowshahi" Complex in Mahabad within residential zones; seizure of the Tobacco Company building at Enqelab Square in Sanandaj.

Structural Repression in Prisons:

• Suppression of In-Ward Protests: Tear gas attacks inside Mahabad Prison following inmate protests over life-threatening hazards posed by an adjacent military base, resulting in the punitive exile of 150 prisoners (including 110 political prisoners) to Miandoab quarantine facility. Riots in Marivan Prison and enforced disappearances of detainees in Oshnavieh unable to post bail.
• Geographical Torture and Discrimination: Transfer of security detainees from the "Shahramfar" facility to the general ward in Sanandaj; denial of furloughs to prominent political prisoners (such as Idris Menbari and Soma Pourmohammadi); deployment of special forces ("NOPO") in Urmia Prison and transfer of political inmates to the high-security "Ershead" ward.

Suppression of Cultural Identity, Religious Freedoms, and Intimidation:

• Threatening Mass Messages: Text messages issued by the Kurdistan Judiciary threatening Sanandaj residents with prosecution for Instagram activity, alongside public SMS broadcasts urging citizens to inform on individuals filming military sites.
• Militarization of Education: Ideological vetting in schools conducted by the Basij, conditioning students' grades on submitting photo evidence of attendance at nightly state events.
• Repression in Boukan: Telephone threats issued to Kurdish singers by intelligence officers to prevent performances of epic/patriotic songs; illegal unfrocking and dismissal of "Mamousta Mullah Othman Zakery" (independent Friday Imam of Aliabad Mosque in Boukan) due to his community-oriented stances and administration of a local charity fund.
• Mass Civil Resistance: Widespread protests by Marivan residents forced the IRGC to vacate the Mosek 2 Sports Hall; resistance from residents of Gowgjeh village in Marivan led to the expulsion of 120 armed personnel from the local mosque; public pressure in Baneh and Sanandaj resulted in the evacuation of several occupied mosques.

Consequences of War and Cross-Border Attacks (March to July 2026 / Esfand 1404 to Tir 1405)

• Civilian Casualties of the 40-Day War: During military strikes inside Iran, at least 29 civilian citizens were killed (including 5 children and 4 women) and 45 others were severely injured. The primary mechanisms of injury and death were shrapnel strikes, proximity to military targets, or traveling along transit corridors. The government enforced a strict media blackout, failing to issue public warnings (sirens), providing no bomb shelters, and shutting down internet access.
• Shootings in Militarized Zones and Checkpoints: Amid the heightening security environment across Kurdish cities and unbridled gunfire by security forces, 7 civilian citizens were targeted (6 killed and 1 injured). Among the deceased were two brothers and cultural activists from Kermanshah who were pursued for participating in the January 2026 protests and were shot directly upon the discovery of their hideout.
• Economic Crisis and Collapse of Urban Welfare: Daily livelihoods faced severe strains with multi-fold price hikes on essential goods (rice, scarcity of cooking oil, and bread rationing capped at 10 loaves per person after long queues). Water, electricity, and gas tariffs rose in tandem with foreign exchange rates, accompanied by daily non-payment fines. The banking sector suffered acute cash shortages, app disruptions, and a rapid devaluation of physical currency. Distorting the crisis, the state officially reported inflation at 30% while introducing market-incompatible measures—such as electronic food vouchers and 1-million-Toman subsidies—to quell public discontent.

Cross-Border Repression and Missile Strikes on the Kurdistan Region: From February 28, 2026, through July 2026, the Islamic Republic and its proxy forces launched over 830 missile and drone strikes against the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. These attacks resulted in at least 20 deaths and 125 injuries. The demographic breakdown of those killed is as follows:

• 9 Peshmerga members of Iranian Kurdish political parties.
• 7 Peshmerga members of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
• 3 civilian citizens.
• 1 member of the Asayish (KRG Security Forces).
• 1 French Army soldier.

Destruction of Refugee Camps and Infrastructure: The primary targets of these bombardments were headquarters and refugee camps housing political dissidents—where families, women, and children resided. During these strikes, public infrastructure and community facilities inside the camps, including hospitals, schools, libraries, and civil institutions, were deliberately destroyed.

6. Victims of Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance (First Half of 2026 and 14-Year Longitudinal Data)

• Statistics and Demographics: In the first half of 2026, two Kurdish civilians (including a 13-year-old child) were killed. In the 14-year balance sheet (2012 to 2026), a total of 483 Kurdish civilians became victims (131 killed and 352 injured). The demographic breakdown includes: 97 Kolbars (20.1%), 61 children (12.7%), 39 women (8.1%), 28 shepherds (5.8%), 15 nomadic citizens (3.1%), and 12 farmers (2.5%). Additionally, 56 deminers (11 killed) and 36 military personnel (16 killed) fell victim. The high injury rate (73%) highlights the extensive scale of permanent disabilities.
• Continued Mine-Laying and Extent of Contamination: With 4.2 million hectares of contaminated land across 5 border provinces (particularly Kurdistan), Iran ranks as the second most heavily mined country in the world. Despite official claims of an 80% clearance rate, the deployment of new anti-personnel and treadle mines along border strips, agricultural fields, and near residential areas continues unabated.
• Unequal and Discriminatory Clearance: According to Issa Bazyar (an activist in this field), the Mine Action Center has concentrated its clearance efforts on areas with high economic and oil value, leaving residential regions in Kurdistan neglected; simultaneously, public education and awareness campaigns are systematically absent.

Judicial-Political Obstacles and Legal Gaps:

• Securitization in Article 2 Commissions: Cases in Kurdistan have remained suspended for years due to political motives. The state disqualifies victims under the pretext of "Kolbari or entering a military zone," even as it has expanded military border boundaries into agricultural lands and residential properties.
• Legal Exclusion and Indefinite Uncertainty: According to Osman Mrozein (an attorney-at-law), Iranian laws make no distinction between children and adults, free medical treatment is non-existent, and victims are denied the benefits granted to war casualties (martyr/disabled status). In Sardasht alone, 400 cases spanning 20 to 30 years remain unresolved.

7. Structural Killing of Kolbars (First Half of 2026 and 15-Year Balance Sheet)

Statistics for the First Half of 2026: During this period, 6 Kurdish Kolbars were targeted by direct gunfire from military forces along the borders of Nowsud, Baneh, Sardasht, and Marivan (2 killed and 4 injured).

Strategic Analysis of the Statistical Decline: This temporary decline is not an indication of improved conditions; rather, it is the direct consequence of the suspension of Kolbari activities due to war, the January protests, internet blackouts, and the structural closure of border routes (marked by massive troop deployments and sealed passages).

15-Year Balance Sheet (2012 to First Half of 2026):

• Over this period, a total of 2,613 Kurdish Kolbars were killed or injured, comprising 667 deaths and 1,946 injuries.
• Among the victims during this span were 43 children and adolescents under 18 years of age. (The highest annual casualty figures were recorded in 2023 with 357 cases and 2024 with 338 cases).

Structural Breakdown of Causes of Casualties:

1. Direct Gunfire by Military Forces: The primary and intentional cause accounting for over 73% of total casualties.
2. Falls from Heights (during flight or navigating treacherous paths): Over 6%.
3. Frostbite and Avalanches: 4%.
4. Landmine Explosions: Nearly 4%.

Dual Policy and Judicial Immunity for Perpetrators:

• The state neither officially recognizes nor outright bans Kolbari; while issuing "pillevari" (border trading) permits for limited movement, it simultaneously opens fire on them. Reorganization schemes have similarly remained ineffective.
• Despite complaints filed by families, no law enforcement officer or agency has faced punishment; in numerous instances, the authorities have even demanded compensation from the victim's family for the cost of the bullets fired.

Security Fabrications and Political Exploitation:

During political crises, the Islamic Republic shifts its repressive focus toward the defenseless Kolbar population. In the most dangerous pattern, it fabricates scenarios against Kolbars by accusing them of smuggling assassination equipment (as seen in cases involving nuclear scientists)—including the issuance and execution of death sentences for three Kurdish Kolbars named "Idris Ali," "Azad Shojaei," and "Rasul Ahmad Rasul" on groundless espionage charges.

Kurdpa Human Rights Organization Statement:

The Kurdpa Human Rights Organization strongly condemns this widespread repression and reiterates its commitment to recording the truth and documenting human rights violations. Given that the above statistics represent only cases independently verified by Kurdpa, and that the true scale of atrocities is far broader due to security barriers, we invite all citizens, injured individuals, eyewitnesses, and justice-seekers to share their documentation with us through secure communication channels to help record the truth, expose crimes, and assist in the path toward accountability.

Report compiled by: Awin Mostafazadeh