News Center- The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights has released a report titled, “The ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ Movement: A Report on the Human Rights Violations and Harsh Sanctions of Kurdish Protests by the Islamic Republic of Iran”.

“The Iranian authorities have subjected hundreds of Kurdish citizens to unfair trials and harsh sentences following the Women, Life, Freedom Movement,” said the report. The organization has documented the legal proceedings against Kurdish citizens, who participated in or supported the movement, and verified the identities of approximately 202 detainees so far.

“One Kurdish citizen was sentenced to death and executed, while 201 others received a total of 715 years and 6 months of imprisonment, 21 years, and 6 months of suspended imprisonment, 2,227 lashings, as well as additional monetary fines and social deprivation,” the report said.

‘At least 192 children were arrested’

According to the report, at least 192 children from various cities in Kurdistan have been arrested by the security and intelligence organizations of the Islamic Republic of Iran since September 2022. Four children received prison sentences. 17-year-old Kourosh Grawand from Sarableh was sentenced to seven months in prison; 16-year-old Farhad Nowaei from Mahabad was sentenced to two years in prison; Arshia Barzin from Javanrud was sentenced to three years in prison and 74 lashes, Kianoush Azami from Javanrud was sentenced to 10 months in prison and 74 lashes, the report said.

Prison sentences against Kurdish women

According to the report, at least 23 Kurdish female activists have been collectively sentenced to 69 years and seven months in prison and 18 lashes by the judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Among them, four female activists received suspended sentences ranging from one to three years.

Teachers and students were targeted

“The Iranian authorities have persecuted Kurdish teachers and students for their support of the movement,” the report said, “More than 100 Kurdish students were detained by security institutions during the movement. Several of them were deprived of continuing their education, and at least eight individuals received a total of 19 years and one month of imprisonment and three years of suspended imprisonment. One of these students also received 74 lashings as part of the sentence. Additionally, at least four Kurdish teachers received a total of 16 years and four months of imprisonment by the judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Torture against detainees

The majority of detainees have experienced physical and psychological torture and have been denied access to legal counsel or attorney, the report said. “The cases have been constructed solely based on the power of intelligence agents, resulting in the issuance of conviction sentences. The judicial authorities have not demonstrated any judicial independence in carrying out their duties.”