SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iran executed 48 Kurdish prisoners in 2021, a rights watchdog said on Friday, and 52 Kolbars (porters) were killed during the year.
Hengaw Organization for Human Rights released its annual report of human rights violations in Iranian Kurdistan on Friday.
The organization said Iranian authorities executed 31 Kurdish prisoners over “deliberate murder” and 16 others on charges of drug trafficking in 2021.
“The death sentence of a teenager and a woman was also executed,” it added.
Iran has long held the dubious distinction of being the “Number Two executioner” in the world after China, according to Amnesty International.
More than 600 Kurdish people were also detained by the Iranian security services last year, said Hengaw, which monitors human rights abuses in Iranian Kurdistan.
“Most of them were accused of political activities and helping Kurdish political parties opposing Iran,” the watchdog’s report said.
Regarding Kolbars, Hengaw said at least 52 Kolbars were killed and 163 others were wounded last year.
As many as 134 of the Kolbars were killed or wounded by the Iranian security forces, it stated.
Kolbars carry goods across the mountainous border between Iran, Iraq and Turkey on their backs. They frequently come under fire from Iranian border guards.
Hengaw said 13 Kurds were shot dead and 17 others were wounded by Iranian forces.
