News Center- According to statistics compiled by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, a Norway-based human rights organization, at least 463 individuals were detained by Iranian security forces across the country in September 2023, a 75% increase compared to previous month.

44% of the detained people were Kurds

In September 2023, at least 203 Kurds were detained by Iranian security forces, comprising 44% of the total detentions across Iran last month, the organization reported.

“Arbitrary detention of religious minority activists continued in September, similar to previous months, with at least 17 religious minority activists detained by government entities. Among those arrested, 8 were Baha'i adherents, including 4 women and 4 men. Additionally, during the past month, eight Sunni individuals from various cities in the provinces of Hormozgan, Fars, Sistan, and Baluchestan, as well as one Armenian descendant, were detained by Iranian government entities,” said the organization

51 women, 50 children detained

According to the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, at least 51 women were detained across Iran during the past month. This number accounts for 11% of all detentions. 50 minors under the age of 18 were detained or forcibly disappeared by security and government entities across Iran. “Out of these underage minors, 37 (74%) were Baloch, 10 were Kurdish, and 2 were detained in the cities of Mashhad and Tehran.”

Detention of students, teachers and activists

The Hengaw Organization of Human Rights also reported that at least four students, four journalists and media activists as well as 14 artists and actors were detained in various cities across Iran in September 2023.