Repression of Kurdish Language Lecturers: A Grim Reality in Iran

Hengaw; Wednesday, February 21, 2024

The Islamic Republic of Iran's security forces escalated pressure on civil institutions and Kurdish language lecturers throughout 2023, leading to the arrest of eight instructors, according to statistics recorded by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights. Additionally, five other Kurdish educators faced severe penalties, receiving a combined sentence of 36 years in prison and 80 lashes.

The right to one's mother tongue is a fundamental human right, especially in a multi-ethnic and linguistic country. Unfortunately, the Kurdish language, among other linguistic minorities, has been a victim of the Iranian regime's language unity policies and denial since its inception. Despite guaranteed linguistic rights under Article 15 of the Constitution, the regime has systematically denied these rights, leading to the detention and harsh sentencing of those voluntarily teaching Kurdish.

Over the past year, Kurdish language activists and lecturers have faced intimidation, the fabrication of scenarios, and severe judicial penalties. Several have been arbitrarily detained, stripped of citizenship rights, and imprisoned with heavy sentences imposed by Iranian revolutionary courts.

On the occasion of International Mother Language Day on February 21, Hengaw condemns the Iranian authorities' language unity policies and calls for fair trials based on international standards for the detained activists.
 

List of Kurdish Language Lecturers Arrested in 2023:

1. Seyvan Ebrahimi from Kamyaran: Arrested on January 3rd and again in December 2023.
2. Soma Purmohammadi from Sanandaj: Arrested on January 18th.
3. Sirwe Purmohammadi from Sanandaj: Arrested on January 29th.
4. Omid Mashirpanahi from Sanandaj: Arrested on February 23rd.
5. Azad Abbasi from Dehgolan: Arrested on September 9th.
6. Azad Amini from Saqqez: Arrested on September 15th.
7. Mojgan Kavousi from Kelardasht: Arrested on December 18th.
8. Ahmed Gholami from Baneh: Arrested on May 1st.
 

List of Kurdish Language Lecturers Sentenced to Imprisonment:

1. Seyvan Ebrahimi from Kamyaran: sentenced to 1 year of imprisonment and 40 lashes.
2. Varan Mohammadnejad from Sanandaj received a suspended sentence of 1 year of imprisonment.
3. Idris Manbari from Sanandaj: sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.
4. Sirwe Purmohammadi from Sanandaj: sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.
5. Seyvan Ebrahimi from Kamyaran: sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.
6. Idris Manbari from Sanandaj: sentenced to 1 year of imprisonment and 40 lashes.
7. Azad Amini from Saqqez: sentenced to 3 years of suspended imprisonment.

It is worth noting that the aforementioned Kurdish language lecturers are associated with the "Nojin" social-cultural association.