Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN): Over the recent days, the border guards and the anti-smuggling unit of Islamic Republic of Iran in Baneh, Sardasht and Paveh have targeted a number of Kurdish Kolbars and Tradesmen under the pretext of fighting with smuggling. As a result, two kolbars and businessmen have lost their life while five others have been injured only during the past 10 days.

“On the evening of July 3, 2019, the border regiments of Paveh near the village of Haneh Gharmalleh fired at a group of kolbars. “Goran Azizzadeh”, a kolbar from the Haneh Gharmalleh village, was killed while another kolbar called Asir Shahpasandi was injured in this incident.”, a Kholbar from Hooraman, who wishes to remain anonymous for security reasons, told KHRN

Moreover, a 26 year old businessman, Youssef Alton from village of Nimja who was wounded as a result of shooting of law enforcement on Friday, June 28, 2019, passed away last week due to the severity of injuries at the Orumiyeh Hospital.

Moreover, several other Kolbars were injured in shooting incidents at different dates and places including: “Omar Mohammadi” on June 23, 20 at the border of Baneh, “Rashebar Rasooli” in Killy region of Sardasht, and “Sardar Goylei” Thateh region of Horaman district on June 30, 2019 in addition to “Muhammad Awaza” on July 1, 2019 in the region of Qandullah of Sardasht.

Following the increase of unemployment rates in Kurdistan, more Kurdish citizens have turned into Kolbari. According to the statements made by Seyyed Ahsan Alavi- the representative of Sanandaj and Kamyaran in the Iranian parliament- during his interview with the Khaneh Mellat website, there are more than a hundred thousand Kolbars in Kurdistan province. Also, according to the Iran Statistics Centre, the highest rate of inflation during the past 12 months was related to Kurdistan province with an inflation rate of 45.1% and the highest inflation rate.