SULAIMANI (ESTA) — At least seven Kolbars (porters) died in the Kurdish areas in northwestern Iran last month, according to a human rights organization.
Hengaw Organization for Human Rights said in a report on Monday that eight other Kolbars were wounded in January.
One Kolbar was killed and six others were wounded by Iranian security forces, said Hengaw, which monitors human rights abuses in Iranian Kurdistan.
Five cases were in Urmia, six in Sanandaj and four others in Kermanshah, the watchdog added.
Kolbars carry goods across the mountainous border between Iran, Iraq and Turkey on their backs. They frequently come under fire from Iranian border guards.
According to the organization, 59 Kolbars died or were shot dead by Iranian security forces and 181 others were wounded in 2020.
