After three years of legal pursuit, Iranian judiciary has issued conviction rulings against several commanders of armed Iranian Kurdish groups stationed in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and Interpol has issued red notices for their international pursuit. In an exclusive report, the Kurdistan Human Rights Watch stated that these judicial rulings were issued following direct complaints from families of Kurdish victims, supported by forensic evidence and eyewitness testimonies. Dr. Ali Farahmand, CEO of the organization, confirmed the issuance of these verdicts and announced the start of international extradition procedures for the leaders of these groups who have long maintained bases inside Iraqi Kurdistan. This move could mark the beginning of a new chapter in confronting non-state armed groups in the region.
In an interview with the organization’s media, Dr. Farahmand emphasized the purely legal and humanitarian nature of the cases, saying, “These cases have no political dimension and are entirely based on legal evidence and popular complaints. The plaintiffs are families whose loved ones have fallen victim to the violent, inhumane, and premeditated actions of Iranian Kurdish armed groups—families who have endured years of pain and suffering, bearing irreparable losses in silence and helplessness.” He added that the victims have faced not only the death of their relatives but also devastating consequences such as economic ruin, severe physical injuries, psychological trauma, and even sexual abuse. “While murder is a tragic event, for many families it marked the beginning of an unending nightmare; physical and psychological torture, systematic harassment, and lasting mental instability have continued to affect their lives long after the incidents, corroding their spirit like a hidden cancer.”
Farahmand also criticized the inadequate response from both domestic and international institutions, stating, “Repeated negligence by governments, human rights organizations, and judicial bodies has multiplied the pain and suffering of victims’ families. This chronic injustice is not only an obstacle to justice but also amounts to a repetition of violence—this time by institutions that should uphold justice and human dignity.” He expressed hope that with persistent legal follow-ups and international cooperation, justice will be served and the voices of victims, silenced for years, will finally be heard.
Regarding the legal process and evidence, Farahmand explained that the cases have been examined across seven Iranian judicial branches with evidence including forensic reports, official testimonies, and material proofs. The charges against the group leaders include torture, rape, forced recruitment of children in warfare, sexual abuse, and extensive harm to civilians. He stated that the scope of these crimes is so broad that, by international standards, they qualify as crimes against humanity.
On legal obligations, Farahmand noted, “In Iran, these verdicts are based on the Islamic Penal Code (2013) and the Criminal Extradition Law (1960). In Iraq, aside from the 2011 Extradition Agreement, the 2023 Iran-Iraq security pact obligates both the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to prevent these armed groups from operating on their soil and to strengthen security and judicial cooperation.”
At the international level, he pointed out that the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court recognizes torture, rape, and use of children in armed conflict as war crimes and crimes against humanity. Furthermore, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention Against Torture oblige states to pursue and prosecute these crimes even if committed outside their national jurisdiction. The issuance of Interpol red notices aligns with these efforts to pursue serious crimes.
In closing, the CEO of Kurdistan Human Rights Watch stressed that the goal is not only to punish group leaders but also to compensate victims, provide psychological, social, and economic support, and ensure their restoration to a dignified life. He also highlighted that many ordinary members of these groups are themselves victims of poverty and coercion and called for safe return guarantees for these individuals. Farahmand appealed to the governments of Iran, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Regional Government to responsibly accelerate the extradition and trial processes, and urged the international community and human rights bodies to oversee these proceedings to prevent further injustice caused by governmental negligence. He emphasized, “Justice for Iranian Kurdish victims is not merely a national demand; it is a humanitarian and international imperative to achieve justice and ensure lasting security in the region.”