An Urgent Appeal for International Protection of Protesters under Threat of Lethal Force in Iranian Kurdistan
To the attention of:
– The Chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran
– The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, and the United Nations Special Rapporteurs on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; on torture; and on the freedom of peaceful assembly
– The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
– The European Union External Action Service
– International human rights monitoring organizations,
Following the recent outbreak of protests in Tehran and other cities across Iran triggered by deteriorating economic and political conditions, segments of the population in Iranian Kurdistan, particularly in the provinces of Ilam and Kermanshah, have also participated in these demonstrations. As was previously observed during the Jina (Women, Life, Freedom) movement, the Islamic Republic’s repressive apparatus has once again responded to protests in Kurdistan with extreme and disproportionate violence, including the deliberate and indiscriminate use of live ammunition against civilians.
In recent days, peaceful protests by civilians in several cities and towns in southern Iranian Kurdistan have been met with severe and systematic oppression by regime forces. For instance, units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) killed at least seven protesters and injured dozens more in Malekshahi (Ilam Province) and Kermanshah. The current security and humanitarian situation in Malekshahi is extremely alarming. Hospitals in the area are experiencing critical shortages of blood and essential medical equipment, hindering their ability to adequately treat the wounded.
Numerous indicators suggest that the current wave of protests in Iran will continue. There is a serious risk that the Iranian regime’s armed and oppressive forces will repeat their pattern of grave violations and crimes against protesters, particularly in the Kurdistan region. This could result in another major humanitarian crisis.
The Islamic Republic of Iran’s violence against protesters clearly violates fundamental human rights and international human rights law. This includes the rights to life and freedom of peaceful assembly. The violent oppression of protesters in Malekshahi and Malekshahi may be considered crimes against humanity under international law.
Therefore, we urgently call upon you to utilize all available mechanisms within your respective mandates to stop the Islamic Republic of Iran from continuing and escalating its deadly and illegal oppression of peaceful protesters.
We also urge you to contribute to a robust international response aimed at safeguarding and supporting protesters in Iranian Kurdistan and throughout Iran.
The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI)
The Department of Foreign Relations
2026-01-05
