Iran on “chilling execution spree” of Kurds, Balochis – Amnesty International
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – According to a report by Amnesty International, a human rights advocacy group, the Iranian government is on a “chilling execution spree” of dissidents, particularly of the Kurdish and Balochi minorities.
The NGO says the Iranian government executed 94 people in January and February of this year. Of these, at least 14 were Kurdish, 13 Balochi, and one Arab. Dozens more have been sentenced to death in 2023.
Most killings are related to the pro-democracy protests being held in the country since the killing of Jina “Mahsa” Amini, a Kurd, by Iran’s morality police in September 2022.
Iran’s government has cracked down on the country’s minorities – particularly Kurds and Balochis – heavier than on the Persian majority.
Other human rights groups say many more have been put to death by the government. Hengaw, a Kurdish human rights organization, says 102 people were killed in 2023, of which Kurds make up a third. Only about 10% of Iran’s population is Kurdish.
Iran is the second-largest executioner after China. In 2022, Iran Human Rights, another human rights group, says Iran put to death 500 people.