Hengaw report on the social, environmental, and human rights activities of Hamid Moradi
Hengaw – Thursday, July 31, 2025
Hamid Moradi, a licensed attorney, human rights defender, and director of the environmental association “Sheney Nozhin Kurdistan”, was a prominent civil and environmental figure in Sanandaj (Sine). Alongside his work to protect nature, he was actively involved in defending the rights of political prisoners. His record included charitable activities, support for the underprivileged, and resilience in the face of continuous security pressures.
Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, in this report, highlights a portion of Hamid Moradi’s professional, social, and human rights activities—reflecting a life devoted to serving the public, safeguarding the environment, and pursuing justice, a path that ultimately led to his death.
Environmental activities
Hamid Moradi was among the leading environmental advocates in Sanandaj. He voluntarily participated in activities such as nature cleanups, environmental education programs, the protection of natural resources, and efforts to contain forest fires.
As the director of Sheney Nozhin Kurdistan, he played a key role in organizing and coordinating environmental protection projects and raising public awareness about the importance of natural resource preservation.
Legal work and defense of political prisoners
As a licensed attorney, Moradi spent years providing legal support to political and conscientious prisoners. His commitment to professional principles and his refusal to compromise the rights of his clients subjected him to repeated pressure from security agencies.
He was particularly active in pursuing cases involving political and civil activists, advocating for their legal rights, including access to a chosen defense lawyer and proper legal support.
Prevention of Hamid Moradi’s representation of Baran Saedi – a clear example of security pressure
A notable example of the pressure imposed on Moradi was his repeated attempts to represent women’s rights activist Baran Saedi. Despite multiple formal applications, security agencies repeatedly blocked him.
According to information obtained by Hengaw, Moradi applied at least four times in recent months to officially assume Saedi’s legal representation, but his requests were denied each time. He even appeared at the courthouse on the day of her trial but was prevented by security agents from entering and defending his client. This action constitutes a clear violation of the right to a fair trial and reflects the systematic exclusion of independent lawyers from political cases.
Baran Saedi, a women’s rights activist from Sanandaj, was arrested on Monday, March 10, 2025, for organizing an International Women’s Day event in the city. She was released 16 days later on bail of 500 million tomans, pending trial. On May 26, 2025, she was summoned to court again and faced two new charges: “forming an illegal group” and “propaganda against the state.”
Charitable and social engagement
Beyond his environmental and legal work, Hamid Moradi was deeply involved in charitable and community efforts. He regularly supported low-income families, orphans, and vulnerable members of society, while also participating in grassroots aid projects and independent social initiatives.
Death while containing the Abidar wildfire
In the early hours of Friday, July 25, 2025, Hamid Moradi died at Kosar Hospital from severe burn injuries. He had been critically injured the previous day while, alongside other civil and environmental activists and local volunteers, attempting to contain a large wildfire in the Abidar Mountains of Sanandaj.
During the same incident, environmental activists Chiako Yousefnejad and Khabat Amini also lost their lives. Lacking proper equipment and facing official negligence, the three activists relied solely on their sense of social responsibility to confront the fire, ultimately sacrificing their lives to protect Kurdistan’s environment.
Moradi’s funeral was held on the evening of Friday, July 25, 2025, at Behesht Mohammadi Cemetery, with a large public turnout that included justice-seeking families, civil activists, women’s rights advocates, and environmental defenders. Participants honored his legacy with the slogan “Martyrs Never Die” and protest songs commemorating his public service and social contributions.
Hengaw Organization for Human Rights expresses deep condolences over the deaths of these three environmental activists. The organization emphasizes that the absence of safety measures, lack of proper equipment, and negligence by the responsible authorities are major factors behind such tragedies. In recent years, at least 11 Kurdish civil and environmental activists have lost their lives while combating wildfires in the Zagros region.
