Human Rights Violations Against Women- January 2026
January 2026 was marked by intense systemic suppression and violence directed against the Kurdish nation, the Iranian populace, Kurdish women, and advocates of freedom.
This timeframe was considered with widespread civil dissent in Eastern Kurdistan and Iranian cities, where citizens were calling for the fulfillment of their basic rights. However, the authorities of the Islamic Republic, in response to these civil demands,resorted to security suppression, widespread arrests, the use of lethal force, and systematic internet shutdowns, in order to silence the people and conceal the truth.
Based on data from the report issued by the Women’s Union Human Rights Committee, a widespread wave of arrests across several cities in Kurdistan resulted in the detention of 34 women by Iranian Islamic Republic security forces in the past month.
Most of these arrests were carried out without a court order, without legal evidence, and solely for the purpose of intimidation and creating an atmosphere of fear constituting a clear violation of the rights to freedom, security, and, unfair trial.
The arrest statistics are categorized by city as follows:
Ilam: 7 cases
Sanandaj: 4 cases
Kermashan: 4 cases
Sanqor & Kolyaei: 6 cases
Kangavar: 3 cases
Dalahu: 3 cases
Other cities ( Karaj, Gila, Shno, Urmia, Shirwan, Izeh): 1 case each ( total 6)
Fatalities and Casualties ( state- perpetrated killing)
In January 2026, 20 Kurdish women were killed by government forces. These killings occurred due to direct shooting by security forces or lack of access to medical treatment in the cities of Tehran, Krmashan, Seqqez, Javanrud, Khorasan, Alborz, Isfahan, and Qazvin….
This type of killing is considered a clear violation against the right of life, international human rights laws, and the principles of protecting citizens. Furthermore, among the victims were: children under 18 years old,students, nurses, and mothers of families, which indicates indiscriminate repression.
Documented Cases of Government Killings:
1. Robina Aminiyan, 24, student, Taran
2. Gulaleh Mahmoudi Azer, student, Mahabad
3. Zara Moradi, Boukan
4. Melina Asadi, 7 years old
5. Elham Zeynali, Kermanshah
6. Tayba Rezai, Kermanshah
7. Mohena Doshkani, 18, Kermanshah
8. Nazanin Zahra Salehi, 13, Kermanshah
9. Parvin Azizi, 56, Sarpol-e Zahab, Taran
10. Melika Dastyab, 21, Krend (Dalahu), Kermanshah
11. Mahsa Dezfulian, medical worker, Kermanshah, Taran
12. Shahla Kakayi, Javanro
13. Leyla Shokri, 43, Hamedan, mother of 3 children, Qarchak
14. Rezwan Abdi, 24, Tazeh-Ava, Divandarreh, Taran
15. Fatemeh Soltani, Esfarayen, Khorasan
16. Asra Tavosinia, Oway Dashteh, Sonqor, Kermanshah – injured by direct fire, denied immediate medical care, died 3 days later
17. Shilan Salehi, student, Baneh, Taran
18. Parvin Azizi, 51, nurse, Qasr-e Shirin, Alborz
19. Sana Tousangi, 12, student, Hashtgerd, Isfahan
20. Nazanin Zara Esmikhani, Qazvin
A notable example is Asra Tavosinia, who was shot directly by security forces, denied timely and impartial medical attention, and subsequently died. This constitutes a clear case of extrajudicial execution and a violation of the right to life and health under international human rights law.
Furthermore, as our statistics indicate, children under the age of 18, such as Melina Asadi (7 years old), Nazanin Zarah Salahi (13 years old), and Sana Tousangi (12 years old), have become victims of killings by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Additionally, security centers, for the release of the victims’ bodies, demanded a large sum of money from the families and prevented them from conducting funeral and memorial ceremonies. This is a clear violation of human dignity and rights.
Injury and deprivation of the right to medical treatment
According to verified information from the Women’s Union Human Rights Committee, at least three women were injured in the cities of Kermanshah and Ilam in January 2026.However, due to internet disruptions, severe security conditions, pressure and threats against the injured and their families, as well as the abduction and detention of some of them by security forces of the Islamic Republic, complete statistics and details about their situation are still unavailable. Reports indicate that security forces used heavy firearms such as Kalashnikovs and shotguns during protests, suggesting that the actual number of injured women is likely higher.In a notable case, Faiza Rashidi, a resident of the city of Badre, was detained after being injured and has been critically deprived of access to medication and medical services. This action, according to international human rights laws and standards, can be classified as inhumane treatment and a clear injustice, constituting a direct violation of the right to life and health.
Attacks on Medical Facilities:
In January 2026, security forces repeatedly attacked hospitals and medical centers to apprehend injured protesters, militarizing healthcare facilities, and harassing medical staff. This resulted in many injured citizens avoiding hospitals out of fear, directly endangering their lives.
Suicide Cases:
One suicide was documented in January 2026. Hero Sharifi, 17, from Tikab, ended her life due to social and economic pressures and hopelessness about the future.
Increasing suicides among women and girls in Kurdistan reflect the direct impact of systemic oppression, socio-economic crisis, and psychological trauma inflicted by state policies.
General Statistics of Nationwide Protests:
According to human rights organizations, by the 24th day of nationwide protests:
• 5,993 people were killed (including 113 children under 18)
• 42,486 people were arrested (including 326 children)
• 11,018 were injured with serious and life-threatening injuries
During 24 days, 658 protest gatherings occurred in 31 provinces and 202 cities. These figures highlight the widespread use of state violence, lethal firearms, and repression against citizens.
Internet Blackouts and Digital Suppression:
The Human Rights Committee of the Democratic Women’s Union of Kurdistan notes that systematic internet shutdowns during the protests were part of a deliberate state strategy to silence, censor, and suppress access to truth. Therefore, the confirmed statistics likely underestimate the real number of victims.
Conclusion:
The Human Rights Committee of the Democratic Women’s Union of Kurdistan strongly condemns these acts and calls on international human rights organizations, NGOs, and the global community to conduct independent investigations, hold perpetrators accountable for extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detentions, and ensure the protection of women’s and citizens’ rights in Iran.
Democratic Women’s Union of Kurdistan – January 2026
