2021: Kolbars - A statistical report

Hengaw: In 2021, at least 215 Kolbars in the border regions of Iranian Kurdistan fell victim to the dangers associated with their work. These include armed attacks on Kolbars by majority Iranian border guards, natural hazards such as unsecured mountain trails or remaining anti-personnel mines in the border regions.

Citing the registered statistics of Hengaw Human Rights Organization, at least 52 Kolbars were killed and 163 Kolbars were injured in the border regions of Iranian Kurdistan in 2021. 140 Kolbars, the majority, were injured or killed as a result of armed attacks by Iranian border guards, and in some cases by Turkish or Iraqi border guards. 34 more Kolbars were injured or died as a result of natural hazards such as heavy snowfall and cold or fallling into the depths on the unsecured mountain trails.

Reasons for deaths or injuries
Direct shootings by border guards: 65% 140 cases (28 killed, 112 injured)
Natural hazards: 16%
34 cases (17 deaths, 17 injuries)
Explosion of antipersonnel mines: 1.3% 3 cases (3 injuries)
Road traffic accidents: 10.7% 23 cases (5 deaths, 18 injuries)
Physical violence by border guards: 7% 15 cases (3 dead, 12 injured)

By provinces

West Azerbaijan Province: 50 cases (24 dead, 26 injured)
Kurdistan province: 107 cases (22 dead, 85 injured)
Kermanshah province: 58 cases (6 dead, 52 injured)

Minor Kolbars
Citing registered statistics of Hengaw Human Rights Organization, in 2021 at least three minor Kolbars were taken under fire by Turkish border guards, two minor Kolbars fell down unsecured mountain trails, and one fell victim to the explosion of an anti-personnel mine.

Killing / Wounding by Armed Iraqi and Turkish Border Guards  
Citing the registered statistics of Hengaw Human Rights Organization, at least nine Kolbars, including three minor Kolbars, came under fire from Iraqi and Turkish border guards in 2021. Four Kolbars were killed and two were injured in the armed attacks. 

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