Iranian Kurdistan: Detained Komala Party Member Faces Torture, Loses Kidney in Iran
Photo courtesy of Kurdistan24
Four members of the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan were attacked by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Sanandaj on 23 June 2017, resulting in the murders of three members and abduction of the fourth. The men were likely targeted for their participation in the Kurdish liberation movement and for their political ties to the Komala Party. Since no information of his whereabouts has been provided to his family, Ramin Hossein Panahi’s abduction constitutes a forced disappearance and his fate remains unknown. Recent developments in Hossein Panahi’s case point to his precarious condition, particularly because he has not received proper treatment for his bullet wounds, has been subjected to further torture, and has lost a kidney as a result.
Below is an article published by Kurdistan24:
Kurdish Peshmerga shot and arrested by Iranian guards has lost a kidney under torture and might lose his life, family told Kurdistan24.
On June 23 [2017], the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran shot three members of a Kurdish opposition dead and injured one.
Ramin Hossein Panahi who suffered three shots was transported to a hospital in Sanandaj, the provincial capital of Kurdistan, but was taken into custody after about half an hour and before receiving proper treatment.
The Hossein Panahi family who has lost several members in the past few years to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s suppression of the Kurdish opposition is currently grieving the loss of Sabah Hossein Panahi while overwhelmingly anxious about the fate of their missing and injured child, Ramin. Cousins and other relatives of the family have also been arrested.
Amnesty International called on Iran to immediately reveal the fate and whereabouts of the five Kurdish men who have been subject to forced disappearance.
"Enforced disappearance is a crime under international law and places individuals at serious risk of extrajudicial execution, torture and other gross human rights violations," Amnesty International said.
Iran Human Rights Documentation Centre, Association for Human Rights in Kurdistan of Iran-Geneva (KMMK-G) and other right groups are also urging Iran to release the political prisoner and provide him with medical attention.
Moreover, hundreds of activists have signed a petition urging Iran to respect international laws, provide Hosseinpanahi with proper medical care and allow his family to visit him.
Reza Kaabi, the deputy leader of the Iranian Kurdish Komala Party and a signatory of the letter told Kurdistan24, that Iran tried to demonize the victims by linking them to terrorist groups.
"Iran labeled the victims as terrorists and tried to associate them with Daesh (Islamic State) extremists to diminish sympathy," Kaabi told Kurdistan24 in a phone interview.
Tehran twin attack perpetrators allegedly belonged to Kurdish minority. The incident made a renewed Kurdophobia wash over Iran.
BBC Persian went so far as quoting IRGC as saying a "terrorist" group were shot dead.
But to Iranian Kurds who suffer at the hand of the government repressive policies as well as Iranian citizens' ethnocentrism, Ramin Hosseinpanahi a symbol for their violated rights.
"Ramin Hosseinpanahi is not only a Komalah Peshmerga but a representative for the Kurdish liberation movement which has been silenced and jailed," political activist Golala Kamangar told Kurdistan24.
