News Center — Numerous Iranian cities, including those in eastern Kurdistan, are witnessing an increase in the pace of violations affecting various segments of the population, amid fears of their expanding impact on daily life and the absence of effective measures to curb these practices or hold perpetrators accountable.

Recent human rights reports reveal a notable escalation in the level of repression within Iran, with at least 109 executions recorded during the past month of June, amid expanding violations that include increasing executions, the secret transfer of condemned prisoners without informing their families, targeting fuel transport workers and Baloch citizens, refusal to hand over victims' bodies, in addition to mounting pressure on families seeking justice. Human rights organizations indicate that this approach continues amid widespread international silence.

A review of human rights statistics shows that the past month of June witnessed the execution of 109 prisoners, including five political prisoners, reflecting an increase of approximately 10 percent compared to the same period last year, which recorded 99 executions.

Executions were not limited to a single prison, but were carried out in several facilities across Iran, including Adelabad in Shiraz, Dezilabad in Kermanshah, Kashan, Semnan, and Sabzevar—reflecting the authorities' continued reliance on this punishment as a central tool of repression across the country. In recent days, executions were carried out against a number of prisoners, including one in Adelabad, another in Kashan, a third in Dezilabad, in addition to four prisoners in Kashan, Semnan, and Sabzevar, all on non-political charges.

Secret Transfer

With the increasing number of executions, numerous reports have emerged about the transfer of prisoners sentenced to death without their families' knowledge or even without informing the prisoners themselves—a method that has become common for carrying out executions in the Islamic Republic in recent years. In addition to being deprived of a final visit, this process keeps families in a constant state of anxiety and anticipation, subjecting them to severe psychological pressure. Many families learn of their loved ones' fate only after the verdict is issued or through unofficial sources.

From Marivan to Sarvabad

Concurrently with the wave of executions, border areas in eastern Kurdistan have witnessed continued direct firing on kolbars (fuel smugglers) and civilians. A young man was killed in Marivan by border regiment forces while working in the highlands, making him the second kolbar killed within just four days. Another incident in the same area resulted in the death of another kolbar by military forces, reflecting the continued violent approach against workers transporting goods across the border. In Sarvabad, border forces stationed in the village of Daraki opened fire on a Kurdish family's car without warning, resulting in the death of a child and serious injury to his father.

A Month-Long Wait

The city of Saravan witnessed one of the most shocking violations in recent days. After thirty days had passed since the killing of four Baloch citizens in an operation carried out by military and security forces, only one body had been handed over to their families, while the other three bodies remained detained, keeping their families in a state of waiting. Despite the families' communication with relevant authorities over the past weeks and the intervention of local tribal elders and leaders to follow up on the case, no response has been issued regarding the date of the bodies' release. Human rights experts affirm that this refusal, in addition to violating human dignity, constitutes a form of collective punishment, instilling fear, and preventing funeral ceremonies and legal procedures.

A Constant Target of Security Pressures

Alongside the increasing executions, the families of those seeking justice remain one of the main targets of security pressures exercised by the Islamic Republic. In many cases, families wishing to know the fate of their loved ones, receive bodies, or hold funeral ceremonies face threats, summons, interrogations, and security pressures. The refusal to hand over bodies, restrict funerals, prevent mourning ceremonies, and pressure survivors has become a consistent pattern in dealing with families seeking justice—a policy aimed at preventing the formation of justice demands and silencing victims' voices.

Baluchistan

In Baluchistan, systematic violence continues. In the city of Rask, reports emerged of plainclothes forces opening fire directly on fuel trucks without warning. Local sources also reported demands for exorbitant sums for the release of confiscated vehicles, further increasing economic pressures on poor families.

At least three Baloch citizens were killed and dozens wounded in US military strikes over the past two days. Two Baloch fishermen were killed in Sirik, an employee died at Iranshahr Airport, and in Chabahar, Parvin Sipahi, a Baloch woman residing in the Janglek neighborhood, was killed in an ammunition explosion, with members of her family also injured.

The Scope of Repression

The series of events over the past few days shows that the scope of human rights violations is not limited to one region. Cities including Shiraz, Ilam, Marivan, Kermanshah, Kashan, Semnan, Sabzevar, Saravan, Taftan, Zahedan, Rask, Iranshahr, Sirik, Jask, Konarak, and Chabahar have witnessed examples of executions, killings of citizens, shootings by military forces, or violations of victims' families' rights.

The International Community's Silence

Human rights activists believe that the increase in executions, the killing of laborers, fuel transporters, and citizens, the secret transfer of prisoners sentenced to death, the refusal to hand over bodies, and the continued pressure on families seeking justice have continued in a context where the international community's response has not been proportionate to the scale of these widespread human rights violations.

Observers believe that the absence of effective international pressure and accountability has sent a message to the Islamic Republic that the political cost of such measures is minimal—an issue that may lead to the continuation of the cycle of executions, repression, and impunity, and increased pressure on families who seek nothing but the truth, the return of their loved ones' bodies, and justice.