Hengaw’s Statistical Report: 339 Kurdish Kolbars killed or injured in Iran Borders in 2024
In 2024, at least 339 Kurdish kolbars (cross-border porters) and traders were killed or injured in the Iran border regions, according to data recorded by Hengaw’s Center for Statistics and Documentation. This marks a 2% increase compared to 2023.
This report is divided into 12 sections, each presented separately with charts and further details:
1. Overview and summary of the report 2. Introduction
3. Judicial immunity for the perpetrators of Kolbar killings
4. Comparison of 2024 and 2023 statistics
5. Causes of death or injury among Kolbars
6. The death and injury of 19 child Kolbars in 2024
7. Provincial breakdown of Kolbar casualties
8. 76% of Kolbar casualties occurred at Nowsud and Baneh Borders
9. Call for arms and financial sanctions against Iran’s Border Guards
10. 4 Kolbars killed or injured by Iraqi Border Forces
11. Monthly distribution of Kolbar casualties
12. Conclusion
Section 1: Overview and summary of the report
• 57 Kolbars killed and 282 Kolbars and traders injured.
• Over 80% of Kolbars were killed or injured due to direct gunfire by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• At least 1 child Kolbar killed and 19 other children injured.
• Kurdistan (Sanandaj) Province recorded the highest number of victims, with 158 cases of Kolbars killed or injured.
• The Nowsud border witnessed the most casualties, with 150 recorded cases.
• At least 84% of Kolbars fell victim to direct gunfire from border guards.
• At least 1 Kolbar was killed and 3 others injured by Iraqi border guards.
• March recorded the highest number of victims, with 95 cases reported.
Section 2: Introduction
Kolbari: A forced labor for basic survival
The phenomenon of Kolbari (portering) has emerged as a forced labor for the people of Kurdistan, imposed by the lack of opportunities and underdevelopment due to the Iranian state’s securitized policies towards Kurdistan and the Kurdish people for over four decades.
In the border regions of Kurdistan, encompassing Kermanshah, Kurdistan (Sanandaj), and West Azerbaijan (Urmia) provinces, individuals aged 13 to 70 years are often engaged in Kolbari. These individuals transport untaxed goods for merchants across treacherous mountainous borders, typically from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq into Iran, often relying on their backs or pack animals. This physically demanding and dangerous work is compensated with meager wages and frequently leads to fatal accidents. Kolbars navigate approximately 10 kilometers of hazardous, mountainous terrain.
Goods transported by Kolbars
• Household appliances
• Cosmetic and hygiene products
• Tires
• Textiles
• Spare parts
• Raw materials for factories
• Grains, and more
According to unofficial statistics, 100,000 to 150,000 people work as Kolbars in Kurdistan’s border regions. Every year, hundreds of them fall victim to violence, including direct gunfire by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkish armed forces, and Iraqi border guards. Others are killed or injured due to accidents, such as drowning, falling from mountainous terrain, or landmine explosions.
Section 3: Judicial impunity for perpetrators of Kolbar killings
Kolbari in Kurdistan, a direct outcome of the discriminatory and anti-Kurdish policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has become a severe humanitarian crisis in the region. Border guards, shielded by complete legal immunity, target Kolbars with direct gunfire without any fear of prosecution. These actions, primarily occurring in remote mountainous areas, often result in the killing or injuring of Kolbars. These state-sanctioned killings are crimes perpetrated under the full support of the state and its judiciary.
Over the past eight years, despite the killing of more than 517 Kolbars and the injury of over 1,682 others, none of the perpetrators have been brought to justice. This situation reflects the absolute impunity of armed forces and highlights the state’s institutionalized support for the systematic oppression of Kolbars.
On the other hand, Kolbars who survive shootings and the families of those who have lost their lives face a lack of governmental and legal support. Not only are victims not compensated, but in some cases, injured Kolbars and the families of the deceased are burdened with heavy fines. These fines are imposed under pretexts such as illegal border crossing or carrying contraband goods.
In extreme cases, the families of killed Kolbars have even been forced to pay for the bullets that were used to take their loved ones’ lives. This re-victimization further exacerbates the financial and legal pressures on Kolbar families, plunging them into deeper crises and despair.
Section 4: Comparison of 2024 and 2023 statistics
According to data recorded by the Statistics and Documentation Center of the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, in 2024, at least 57 Kolbars and traders were killed, and 282 others were injured along the borders of Iran. Of these, over 80% fell victim to direct gunfire by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and 5.6% of the victims (19 cases) were children.
Comparing these statistics with 2023 reveals a 2% increase in the total number of victims in 2024, with a rise of at least five cases. In 2023, the total number of victims stood at 334, including 41 deaths and 293 injuries.
However, focusing specifically on fatalities, the number of Kolbars killed in 2024 saw a significant increase of over 39% compared to 2023. While 41 Kolbars lost their lives in 2023, this number rose to 57 cases in 2024.
Section 5: Causes of death or injury among Kolbars
The primary cause of death and injury among Kolbars in 2024 was direct gunfire by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, accounting for 81% of all cases:
• Direct gunfire: 272 cases (41 deaths and 231 injuries) – accounting for 81% of all cases.
• Falls from cliffs: 27 cases (6 deaths and 21 injuries) – accounting for 8% of all cases.
• Traffic accidents: 7 cases (2 deaths and 5 injuries) – accounting for 2.5% of all cases.
• Landmine explosions: 5 cases (5 injuries) – accounting for 1.5% of all cases.
• Frostbite: 4 cases (4 deaths) – accounting for 1.5% of all cases.
• Beatings: 14 cases (1 death and 13 injuries) – accounting for 4% of all cases.
• Stone-throwing by armed forces: 2 cases (2 injuries) – accounting for 0.5% of all cases.
• Drowning in rivers: 1 case (1 death) – accounting for 0.5% of all cases.
• Heart attacks: 2 cases (2 deaths) – accounting for 0.5% of all cases.
Section 6: Deaths and injuries of 19 child Kolbars in 2024
At least 19 child Kolbars fell victim to violence in the border areas of Iran in 2024, accounting for 5.6% of the total casualties among Kolbars.
Breakdown:
• 1 child Kolbar lost their life.
• 18 children were injured.
Causes of death or injury:
• 15 children (79% of the child casualties) were injured by direct gunfire from the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• 1 child, Hastiyar Abdulmaleki, died from frostbite.
• 2 children were injured by stone-throwing by armed forces.
• 1 child was injured from a fall from a cliff.
Geographical distribution:
The highest number of child victims occurred along the Nowsud border:
• Nowsud: 9 child Kolbars
• Baneh: 5 child Kolbars
• Sardasht: 2 child Kolbars
• Saqqez: 2 child Kolbars
• Marivan: 1 child Kolbar
Section 7: Breakdown of Kolbars killed and injured by province
The majority of Kolbar casualties in 2024 occurred in the Kurdistan (Sanandaj) Province. The statistical distribution of victims across various provinces of Kurdistan is as follows:
Kurdistan (Sanandaj) Province:
• 158 cases (31 killed, 127 injured)
• 47% of the total cases
Kermanshah (Kirmaşan) Province:
• 153 cases (14 killed, 139 injured)
• 45% of the total cases
West Azerbaijan (Urmia) Province:
• 28 cases (12 killed, 16 injured)
• 8% of the total cases
Section 8: 76% of Kolbar casualties occurred at Nowsud and Baneh Borders
In 2024, at least 257 Kolbars were killed or injured at the borders of Nowsud in Kermanshah Province and Baneh in Kurdistan(Sanandaj) Province, accounting for 76% of all recorded cases across all borders. This is a slight decrease compared to 2023, when 83% of Kolbar casualties were reported in these two border areas.
Nowsud Border:
• 150 Kolbars were victims.
• 13 fatalities were recorded.
Baneh Border:
• 107 Kolbars were victims.
• 17 fatalities were recorded.
Section 9: Call for arms and financial sanctions against Iran’s Border Guards
Hengaw’s investigations reveal that Mostafa Moradi, Commander of the Border Forces in Baneh, Kurdistan Province, and Nozar Moradi, Commander of the Border Forces in Paveh, Kermanshah Province, have been directly involved in the killings of Kolbars, and in some cases, personally carried out the executions.
Of the 339 Kolbar casualties reported in 2024, at least 284 cases (accounting for 84% of all victims) resulted from direct gunfire by Iran’s Border Forces. This includes 36 fatalities and 248 injuries.
Given the alarming rise in Kolbar killings along Kurdistan’s borders—most of which are due to direct gunfire from Border Forces—Hengaw calls for International arms and financial sanctions targeting the Iranian Border Forces and prosecution of senior commanders of these forces on charges of crimes against humanity.
Section 10: 4 Kolbars killed or injured by Iraqi Border Forces
In 2024, at least 4 Kolbars were directly targeted by gunfire from Iraqi Border Forces. As a result, 1 Kolbar was killed, and 3 others were injured. All these incidents occurred along the Halabja-Nowsud border.
Section 11: Monthly distribution of Kolbar casualties
An analysis of the 2024 Kolbar casualty data reveals that the highest number of deaths and injuries occurred in March, with 95 cases recorded, accounting for 28% of all incidents. Other months with significant numbers of casualties include, February with 65 cases, and January with 53 cases.
Section 12: Conclusion
The statistical analysis and evidence presented in this report highlight the critical and alarming situation of Kolbars in the border regions of Kurdistan. This crisis not only reflects deep economic and social challenges driving individuals to this perilous livelihood but also underscores the systematic and blatant violations of human rights.
The increasing number of fatalities and injuries among Kolbars, particularly children, demonstrates the failure of existing policies and underscores the urgent need for immediate action to address this humanitarian crisis. The report emphasizes the necessity of international attention and practical measures to protect Kolbars.
The escalation of violence against Kolbars constitutes a gross violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to life and personal security (Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights). The judicial immunity granted to perpetrators of this violence and the lack of legal support for victims and their families stand in stark contrast to the principles of accountability and responsibility that states are obligated to uphold under human rights law.
Hengaw stresses that resolving this humanitarian crisis requires not only economic and social initiatives to improve the living conditions of Kolbars but also greater accountability from international organizations, governments, and human rights entities. Effective measures must be taken to protect the rights of Kolbars and to hold perpetrators of violence against them accountable for their crimes.
