Latest news with #Hengaw
Times of Oman
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Rights groups raise alarm over rise in executions of Afghan migrants in Iran
Kabul: Human rights groups have expressed serious concern over the growing number of executions of Afghan migrants in Iran, warning of rising injustice and lack of fair trials, Khaama Press reported. According to Iranian human rights organisations, at least 85 prisoners have been executed in Iranian prisons in the month following the Israel-Iran ceasefire. The Hengaw Human Rights Organisation reported that six of those executed were Afghan citizens, though their identities and charges were not disclosed. The rest included 15 Lur prisoners, 12 Turks, 12 Kurds, and six Baluch. Six individuals were also executed on charges of "spying for Israel," though it remains unclear whether any of them were Afghan nationals. Hengaw and other human rights groups say executions of Afghan citizens in Iran have sharply increased in recent years. In the first six months of 2025 alone, at least 40 Afghan nationals were executed, while 73 were executed in 2024, Khaama Press noted. Iran's broad application of the death penalty, including against Afghan migrants, has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights groups. They describe Tehran as one of the world's leading enforcers of capital punishment, Khaama Press reported. While many of these executions are reportedly tied to drug trafficking or political charges, rights monitors continue to raise alarms about opaque judicial processes. Trials often lack transparency and basic legal safeguards, raising serious concerns about due process for vulnerable individuals, including Afghan migrants, according to Khaama Press. Amid these concerns, Iran's Foreign Ministry said President Masoud Pezeshkian's recent comment about visiting Kabul was a personal gesture, not an official diplomatic plan, according to Khaama Press. Addressing a press conference in Tehran on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated, "There are no official plans for President Masoud Pezeshkian to visit Afghanistan at this time." He added that the president's recent comment expressing willingness to visit Kabul was "a personal expression of goodwill," not part of any scheduled visit. According to Khaama Press, the clarification follows remarks made by Pezeshkian to Foreign Ministry officials on Sunday, where he said he was "ready to travel to Kabul" to open a new chapter in bilateral relations. The Iranian Embassy in Kabul also shared Pezeshkian's statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, prompting speculation about whether Tehran may be considering a shift toward formal engagement with the Taliban-led administration. Khaama Press further reported that Baghaei addressed these speculations, stating, "Tehran has not made any decision on the matter yet," in reference to potential recognition of the Taliban government. He also said Iran respects Russia's recent move to recognize the Taliban regime but clarified that Iran has taken no similar step so far. Diplomatic observers cited by Khaama Press believe the clarification signals Iran's cautious approach as it seeks to balance potential outreach to Afghanistan with regional sensitivities and broader international expectations. Analysts noted that any future visit by Pezeshkian, if officially planned, would carry significant diplomatic weight, influencing Afghanistan's standing and Iran's strategic posture in the region.
Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Three dead in natural park blaze in Iran's Kurdistan province: Watchdog
Also in Iran Iran executes over 100 Kurds in 2025 amid post-war crackdown: Watchdog Tensions rise in Iranian parliament ahead of IAEA visit At least five killed in attack on Iran courthouse Iranian diplomat says had 'frank' talks with European powers A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Three environmental activists lost their lives and several others were injured while attempting to extinguish a wildfire that broke out in a popular natural park in western Iran's (Rojhelat) Kurdistan province, a human rights watchdog said on Monday. A blaze at Kurdistan's Abidar Natural Park, among the most well-known areas in the province, broke out on Thursday and quickly spread to residential complexes nearby. The fire was eventually brought under control by local residents and environmental activists, who criticized the government for insufficient support. The Oslo-based Hengaw Human Rights Organization said that environmental activists Khabat Amini, Chaiko Yousefinejad, and Hamid Moradi died due to 'severe burns' sustained from the fire. Five other environmental activists were injured, according to Hengaw. Footage dated Monday showed a large crowd gathering before a local hospital in Kurdistan's provincial capital of Sanandaj to honor their dedication, Hengaw added, and their funerals drew a large crowd. A two-day mourning period was declared in Sanandaj by Governor Arash Lihony after their deaths. The Abidar Natural Park in Kurdistan province is renowned for its scenic beauty and its open-air cinema, considered one of the largest of its kind in the Middle East, making it a popular tourist destination and outdoor recreation area for residents. Forest fires in Rojhelat, particularly in the vicinity of Kurdistan province, have become increasingly regular over the past few years, sparking concerns from environmentalists amid claims of arson. Many hold the Iranian government responsible for the blazes. Iranian security forces also routinely arrest environmentalists seeking to control the flames.
Rudaw Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iran executes over 100 Kurds in 2025 amid post-war crackdown: Watchdog
Also in Iran Tensions rise in Iranian parliament ahead of IAEA visit At least five killed in attack on Iran courthouse Iranian diplomat says had 'frank' talks with European powers Iran says to continue nuclear enrichment A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran has executed at least 100 Kurdish citizens since the start of 2025, including several political prisoners, a human rights watchdog warned Sunday. The surge comes as Iran has been upping its sentences on detainees, following its recent 12-day war with Israel. 'Since the beginning of 2025, the Islamic Republic of Iran has executed at least 100 Kurds, including four political prisoners,' reported the Oslo-based Hengaw Human Rights Organization. The watchdog censured what it described as Tehran's 'death-driven and discriminatory policy,' calling it 'part of a broader project of structural oppression against the Kurdish people that must be halted immediately.' On Saturday, Hengaw released a detailed report documenting a steep deterioration in the country's human rights landscape following the June conflict between Iran and Israel. According to the watchdog, between the outbreak of the war on June 13 and a month after the ceasefire on June 24, 'at least 85 prisoners have been executed in various prisons' across Iran. Among the executed were six individuals - three of them Kurdish - accused of 'espionage for Israel.' Hengaw noted that these executions were carried out secretly, with no final visits permitted for families. Hengaw also reported that 'at least 30 political activists, including 18 Kurdish citizens, were sentenced to death or imprisonment" by the Iranian judiciary over the past month, with cumulative sentences amounting to 272 years and 9 months. Additionally, the Oslo-based human rights monitor pointed to widespread arrests. 'From the start of the Iran-Israel war until one month after the ceasefire, at least 1,800 people were arrested across Iran,' it said. Kurds made up the largest share, with 500 detained. Many were accused by Iranian intelligence agencies of "espionage for Israel." For its part, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) on Thursday corroborated these findings, reporting that "over 330 Kurdish activists and other citizens' were arrested across Iran by the Iranian intelligence ministry and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence apparatus during the conflict with Israel and its aftermath. Among them, 18 Kurdish political activists were collectively sentenced to 221 years and 7 months in prison, and five received a total of 11 death sentences for charges including 'collaboration with [the Israeli intelligence agency] Mossad and Israel.' These reports emerge amid new measures taken by Iranian authorities to intensify the crackdown on alleged espionage and collaboration with Israel and the United States. Earlier this month, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, head of Iran's judiciary, ordered expedited processing of spy cases linked to Israel. 'Part of the deterrence in this matter lies in the speed of action,' Ejei said. His comments followed the Iranian parliament's passage of amendments to the country's espionage laws, significantly broadening the definition of hostile activity and introducing capital punishment for a wider range of offenses linked to Israel and the United States. Tensions between Iran and Israel escalated sharply on June 13 after Israeli airstrikes in Iran killed several senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israeli targets. The conflict widened on June 22 when the United States bombed three Iranian nuclear sites, prompting Tehran to strike back with a missile attack on a US base in Qatar. A ceasefire, brokered by Washington, took effect on June 24 and has largely held. Since the ceasefire, Iranian authorities have ramped up arrests and executions of alleged spies, releasing televised confessions from several detainees. However, human rights groups have questioned the credibility of such confessions, citing longstanding concerns over Iran's use of coercion to extract false admissions.
Rudaw Net
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iran frees teen held for reciting Kurdish poetry, father still detained
Also in Iran Iran expands crackdown on alleged spies, collaborators with Israel, US Trump says scheduled new nuclear talks with Iran Pezeshkian accuses Israel of assasination attempt, 'destroying' US-Iran diplomacy Iran arrests 900 since start of Israel war: watchdog A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian intelligence forces have released 14-year-old Kezhal Salehi three days after she was detained for reciting Kurdish poetry, a watchdog said on Thursday. Her father remains in custody. 'Kezhal Salehi, a 14-year-old Kurdish girl from the village of Naveh in Bojnurd, North Khorasan Province, was temporarily released after three days in detention,' stated the Oslo-based Hengaw Human Rights Organization. The girl's father, Araz Salehi, remains in detention. He was arrested on Tuesday. 'Security forces raided her parents' home in an attempt to arrest her. When they failed to locate her, they detained her father instead. A few hours later, Kezhal was arrested at a separate location,' Hengaw said. Kezhal was arrested after reciting Kurdish poems in praise of Kurdistan at several cultural events. Her performances drew widespread support and went viral on social media among the Kurdish population in Iran. According to information received by Hengaw, on the evening of Tuesday, July 15, 2025, forces from the Intelligence Department in Bojnurd, North Khorasan province, raided the home of 14-year-old Kazhal Salehi with the intention of arresting her. Hengaw has learned that Kazhal… — Hengaw Organization for Human Rights (@Hengaw_English) July 15, 2025 Intelligence forces confiscated all mobile phones and electronic devices during a search of the family's home and ordered all family members to report for interrogation, according to Hengaw. Iran's constitution recognizes Persian as the official language but allows for the use of 'regional and tribal languages' in the press and mass media, and for teaching the literature of those languages in schools. Kurdish teachers and activists have long campaigned for the implementation of this right, but many continue to be arrested for their efforts to promote and teach the Kurdish language. Since Israel's attack on Iran last month and their 12-day war, Iranian authorities have arrested more than 318 Kurds, in addition to many others across the country, according to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN).
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Inside Iran: Behnaz Mahjoubi arrested without cause as executions and paranoia grip Iran
Crackdowns are in force throughout Iran, with Revolutionary Guards on an all-out hunt for dissidents A wave of arrests is in full force in Iran, with the Islamic Republic arresting hundreds of people suspected of spying for Israel. On Saturday, the sister of a prominent protester who died in an Iranian prison was arrested in the southeastern province of Kerman. According to the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, a nonprofit promoting the rights of Iran's Kurdish community, plainclothes agents detained Behnaz Mahjoubi at her workplace in Kerman without presenting her an arrest warrant. Behnaz Mahjoubi's brother, Behnam Mahjoubi, was arrested in 2018 and died in prison in 2021. His arrest followed a government crackdown that year on protesters from the Gonabadi Dervishes, a Sufi minority. Five protesters were reportedly killed during the demonstrations, scores were injured, and hundreds were arrested. Iranian sources told The Media Line that Behnaz spoke publicly about her brother's plight following his death, although she hasn't spoken out recently. According to Iman Forouton, chair of the anti-regime New Iran organization and the SOS Iran activist network, the Islamic Republic has become paranoid in the wake of the war and is rounding up anyone related to those who protested in the past, particularly those whose family members were killed by the state. Former Iranian political prisoner Shabnam Madadzadeh shared a video on social media of Behnaz's mother, Batoul Hosseini, speaking out about her daughter's abduction. 'Behnaz suffers from a heart condition. The Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC will be held fully responsible for anything that happens to her,' Hosseini said. Forouton told The Media Line that members of theBaháʼí faith, Iran's largest non-Muslim religious minority, are also being arrested. The Islamic Republic judiciary signed off on the execution of three Iranian men this week, convicting them of espionage on behalf of Mossad's intelligence agency. According to the Iranian Students' New Agency (ISNA), which is affiliated with the Islamic Republic, the men were convicted of espionage on behalf of Israel. Hundreds of others were arrested during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. Dissidents, opposition leaders, journalists, writers are all being detained, as the country is grappling with an unprecedented threat to the regime's grip on power. According to Iran International, a Washington-based news network critical of the regime, a journalist was arrested last week over his war coverage. In the days since Israeli bombs stopped falling on Iran, state security guards have emerged from hiding. A massive crackdown is in force, with checkpoints popping up throughout the country. One of the activists involved in Forouton's SOS Iran resistance network told The Media Line that guards in Iran have set up checkpoints every kilometer or two to check cars and buses. Citing leaked intelligence documents, The Times reported last week that the Mossad had been present in Iran since 2010, familiarizing themselves with the nuclear program and infiltrating sites including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps headquarters and the Sanjarian nuclear site. The accomplishments achieved by Israel earlier this week—taking out key regime officials and nuclear scientists and severely damaging nuclear program infrastructure—may have taken place over 12 days, but they resulted from a decade and a half of boots on the ground. The chief of the Mossad said last week that the intelligence service will continue to operate in Iran. "We will be there, just as we have been there until now," Mossad chief David Barnea said. On Thursday, the Mossad's Farsi-language social media posted a message to the Iranian people: 'A ceasefire has been implemented. Now, the extent of the damage is becoming clear.' The post noted that the Mossad had established a team of Farsi-speaking doctors who were available to support civilians. The next day, the page added another post: 'Dear Iranian citizens, you know that we will do our utmost to ensure no harm comes to you. Our fight is with the oppressive Islamic Republic regime.' It warned civilians to stay away from the members of the Revolutionary Guards, security personnel, bases, and regime vehicles and to avoid answering unknown calls or texts. Internet access in Iran has been reinstated after being cut off during the war. The SOS Iran activist who spoke to The Media Line said that the Islamic Regime has been indiscriminately sending texts to everyone with warnings to the public and threats that they are being watched. On June 25, Iran's judiciary together with the Intelligence Ministry announced changes to its espionage law, as was previously reported by The Media Line. A new committee was formed to monitor civilians' online activity. He said that the Morality Police have resumed stopping the public and checking civilians' phones. One acquaintance in Iran told the activist to stop texting him and that he was going to change his SIM card. Directives have also reportedly been given to the public to weed out the Mossad agents or accomplices. Iranians have been told to report on neighbors whose houses are regularly visited by strange men, who have large piles of garbage outside their homes, who mostly keep their curtains closed. This is a developing story.
