Human Rights Watch reported on Monday that Iranian security forces employed lethal force against predominantly Kurdish border couriers who traversed treacherous terrain to transport goods between Iraq and Iran.
Kurdish border couriers, also known as Kulbars, who were interviewed by Human Rights Watch, stated that Iranian security forces shot at them, killed their relatives, and subjected them to beatings during detention. One courier reportedly lost a leg after stepping on a landmine. The interviewees named Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and FARAJA Border Guard force as being involved in using lethal force against them.
Nahid Naghshbandi, acting Iran researcher at Human Rights Watch, commented that Iranian security forces employed this lethal force to “repress socially and economically marginalized Kurdish communities.” Naghshbandi suggested that Iranian authorities should develop sustainable economic opportunities in border regions to decrease reliance on border courier work within these communities.
Kulbars operate as border couriers, either legally or illegally, due to poverty and high unemployment rates. Despite Iranian authorities’ claims that they aim to regulate these economic activities rather than repress them, accusations of repression and marginalization of Kurdish communities persist.
Additionally, Iran has reportedly executed at least eight Kurdish political prisoners this year on charges such as “corruption on earth” and waging war on God. The UN Watch also found Iran responsible for “physical violence” leading to the death of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian-Kurdish woman, in September 2022. Amini’s death, which resulted after she was detained for allegedly violating hijab laws, sparked widespread protests in Iran. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nasser Kanaani later accused European and American political leaders of exploiting Amini’s death to support efforts undermining Iran’s national security.
Human Rights Watch concluded that Kurdish border couriers have limited access to justice or remedies within the current framework.