Kurdish citizens in Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhilat) are facing a fresh wave of arrests as the second anniversary of Iran’s nationwide Jin, Jiyan Azadî (Women, Life, Freedom) protests draws near. Since mid-August, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s intelligence services have increasingly targeted civil activists, dissident artists, and family members of the victims. Meanwhile, women and student organisations call for continued anti-government demonstrations and the demise of the regime.
Kurdistan Human Rights Organisation (KHRN) reported the arrest of 14 Kurdish citizens over the last few days across various Kurdish Iranian cities including Mahabad, Shino (Oshnavieh), Shahin Dej, Mariwan, Piranshahr, and Diwandare. The individuals were reportedly detained by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and the Intelligence Organisation of the Revolutionary Guards and transferred to security detention centres in Urmia and Sanandaj.
Human Right Activist News Agency (HRANA) reported the arrest of Rashed Advaie, a resident of Kordestan province, by security forces without a court order. He was transferred to an unknown location.
Another report indicated the arbitary arrest of six citizens by security forces on 7 September.
According to Iran Wire, the recent arrests were carried out without court order and were all marked by violence and beatings. So far, no details have emerged about the charges or the current locations of the detainees.
Over the past 10 days, the number of individuals arrested has climbed to at least 18.
Furthermore, the Islamic Republic of Iran executed Kurdish political prisoners Faizullah Hosseinpour and Suleiman Ghahramani on 9 September in Miandawab Prison in West Azerbaijan, a move which appears to instill an ever greater atmosphere of fear ahead of the Jin, Jiyan, Azadî uprising anniversary.
Meanwhile, several student organisations in Iran issued a statement reaffirming their resistance against the “inhuman government of the Islamic Republic of Iran”. They vowed to “permanently challenge” and ultimately “destroy” the regime.
The students’ statement read: “We do not forgive, we do not forget, we do not express regret, we do not fear, and we will not turn back. Sooner or later, the Islamic Republic will fall by our hands, with the revolution running through the veins of society.”
In parallel, more than 20 independent Iranian women’s organisations issued a statement on 6 September marking the second anniversary of Amini’s death in custody of the so-called ‘morality police’ and the Jin, Jiyan, Azadî movement.
“The struggle has entered a new phase,” they declared. “The ongoing struggles against the death penalty, mandatory hijab, and national and class oppression, as well as the persistent and impactful efforts of student protests, will endure.”
