Security Forces Detain Two Minors in Piranshahr

On November 19, 2023, Hidi Yousefi Aghdam, 16, and Farzin Nabi, 14, were apprehended separately by security forces in Piranshahr and subsequently transported to undisclosed locations, according to Kurdpa.

Yousefi Aghdam was taken into custody at his parent’s residence without the presentation of an arrest warrant. In Nabi’s case, the arrest occurred at his workplace, where agents reportedly used violence during the apprehension.

As of now, the reasons behind their arrests and their current whereabouts remain unknown.

Minor Detained by Security Forces in Mahabad

On October 10, Pouya Khezri, a minor resident of Mahabad, was apprehended within the city and subsequently transferred to a detention facility in Urmia, as per reports by Kurdpa.

The arrest of Khezri took place at his family’s residence, and notably, no arrest warrant was presented by the security forces.

The specific grounds for Khezri’s detention and the allegations against him remain

Minor Arrested by Security Forces in Oshnavieh

Fourteen-year-old Mohsen Shabooie was apprehended by security forces in Oshnavieh, as reported by Kurdpa.

The agents carried out the arrest without presenting an arrest warrant, raising concerns about procedural irregularities.

The grounds for Mohsen Shabooie’s arrest and the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed at this time.

This incident adds to the alarming statistics of violations of children’s rights in Iran. According to the Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran, 434 reports of children’s rights violations were recorded in 2022. Furthermore, during the nationwide protests of the same year, at least 167 minors were subjected to arrests, highlighting the vulnerability of young individuals caught in such situations.

Teenage Protestor Died from Injuries

Abolfazl Amir-Ataie, a 16-year-old participant in the 2022 nationwide protests, lost his life due to injuries sustained during the demonstrations.

Approximately eight months ago, during the protests in Shahr-e-Rey, Tehran, Ataie was struck in the head by a tear gas bullet. This devastating incident left him hospitalized, rendering him unable to speak or move.

Despite the passing of Ataie, neither the official media nor the authorities have issued a response thus far. However, his mother has confirmed the heartbreaking news of his death.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Three Schoolgirls Arrested for Poison Attacks on Schools in Shiraz

Three schoolgirls, Erfaneh Honar, Setayesh Darougheh, and Setayesh Amiri, have been arrested for serial poison attacks in Shiraz. These minors are being held in the quarantine section of Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, in recent days, three school girls were arrested over poison attacks on schools in Shiraz.

An informed source told HRANA, “They were arrested in recent days, although the exact date of their arrest is unknown. These three young girls are currently being held in the quarantine section of Adelabad Prison without access to phone calls or family visitation.”

Although the specific allegations against them are unknown, it is worth noting that in recent months, security and judicial institutions have attempted to deflect blame onto opposition groups or even to scapegoat students.

Between late November 2022 and March 7, 2023, at least 290 schools, primarily girls’ schools, were targeted by poison attacks using an unspecified toxic gas, affecting at least 7,068 students in 103 schools. For further details and statistics, please refer to the HRANA report.”

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Over 100 Schoolgirls Hospitalized following Poison Attacks; Several Parents Arrested at Protests

On April 9, 2022, six schools in Saqqez, Kurdistan Province, were targeted by poison attacks, resulting in over 100 schoolgirls being hospitalized. Additionally, security forces arrested several parents who were protesting the attacks.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, on April 9, 2022, more than 100 schoolgirls fell ill due to the poison attacks. Among them, 24 are in critical condition.

Security forces used tear gas to disperse the parents who had gathered outside these schools. The report did not provide information on the number of arrested parents or their detained location.

This incident is part of a larger trend of serial poison attacks on schools with toxic gas in Iran, primarily targeting girls’ schools. For further details and statistics, please refer to the HRANA report.

Statistical Report on Recent Poison Attacks on Schools

Over the past few months, there have been disturbing reports of serial poison attacks on schools with toxic gas across Iran, mainly targeting girls’ schools. Recent statistics reveal that between November 22, 2022, and March 8, 2023, at least 297 schools and educational institutions reported incidents of poisoning involving their students. These included 113 high schools, 38 elementary schools, 23 middle schools, and 2 student dormitories, with the level of education unspecified in 121 cases.

Targets of Poison Attacks

The gender composition of affected educational institutions is also alarming. There were 224 girls’ schools, 18 boys’ schools, and 4 mixed schools out of the 246 cases in which the gender of the students was determined. These numbers indicate that female students are targeted at a significantly higher rate than male students.
For only 103 incidents, schools or officials specified the number of affected students, which amounts to 7168.

Poisoned Students’ Gender

The attacks have been reported in at least 103 cities across 29 provinces, with Tehran province recording the highest number of incidents with 33, followed by Qom province with 28 and Ardabil province with 26. Families and human rights activists are concerned about the safety of students and the possibility of additional attacks in light of these incidents.

In response to these incidents, there have been forty-five protests in thirty-two cities. Unfortunately, security forces cracked down on these demonstrations and arrested at least eleven protesters. Yesterday, 27 protest gatherings were held nationwide, and 9 people were arrested. Two individuals were released a few hours after their arrests.

As of the time this report was compiled, below is a map depicting the distribution of these attacks.

The serial poisoning of predominantly schoolgirls has prompted inquiries into the motivations behind these attacks. There is speculation that the attacks are the result of discrimination based on gender, but no one has claimed responsibility for the incidents. The Iranian government has pledged to prevent future attacks and bring those responsible to justice.

Poison Attacks on School Students Continue across Iran

On March 6, 2023, the wave of poison attacks on school students continued across Iran, as 100 school students in Khuzestan, 269 in East Azerbaijan Province, 75 in Semnan Province and several others in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province were poisoned and taken to hospital. Also, the Governor of Masal announced that the number of poisoned students has increased to 43.

According to ILNA, The Director General of Education of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province informed the public about the hospitalization of several students in two schools in Shahrekord.

Quoting the deputy of the Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, IRNA reported that about 100 school students had been hospitalized due to poisoning in Khuzestan Province. This university official expressed his hope that all these students would be discharged soon.

Aftab News, quoting the dead of East Azerbaijan Emergency, reported the hospitalization of 269 students in the cities of Ajabshir, Sufian, Marand, Azarshahr, Mianeh and Tabriz. “Most of them have been discharged, but there are still 23 students under medical care,” he stated.

Also, IRIB reposted the hospitalization of 75 students from five schools in Semnan Province. Out of these students, seven are still in the hospital.

The Governor of Masal announced that the number of poisoned students has increased to 43, of which 21 students are in the emergency room.

Earlier, a deputy of Iran’s ministry of health stated that with these attacks: “Some want all schools, especially girls’ schools, to be closed down.”

Also, Mohammad-Taghi Fazel Meybodi, a religious scholar and university professor, called these incidents intentional attacks organized by “religious groups.” Moreover, the prosecutor-General of Iran also called these incidents “intentional.”

 

About 1200 School Students Poisoned in Qom and Borujerd

According to the spokesperson for the Parliament’s Health Commission, 800 school students in Qom and 400 in Borujerd have been poisoned in a series of poisoning attacks on several schools.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Etemad News, about 1200 schoolgirls have been poisoned at school in recent weeks.

Similar suspicious poisoning incidents took place in schools in other cities such as Tehran, Ardabil and Kermanshah.

Zahra Sheikhi, the Parliament’s Health Commission spokesperson, stated, “by February 27, 799 cases of mild poisoning at schools have been reported. As reported during the meeting today, in Borujerd, about 400 school students have been poisoned mildly between February 21 and 29.”
“The investigations dismiss digestive poisoning, but they have been subjected to respiratory poisoning. There are some theories about that, but the findings are still inconclusive,” she added.

Earlier, a deputy of Iran’s ministry of health stated that with these attacks: “Some want all schools, especially girls’ schools, to be closed down.”

Also, Mohammad-Taghi Fazel Meybodi, a religious scholar and university professor, called these incidents intentional attacks organized by “religious groups.” Moreover, the prosecutor-General of Iran also called these incidents “intentional.”

Poisoning of Schoolgirls Continue: 37 Girls Hospitalized in Pardis, Tehran Province

In the last incident of serial poisoning of school students, 37 schoolgirls were poisoned and hospitalized with an unidentified toxic gas, in Pardis county, Tehran Province. In recent weeks, in a series of incidents, hundreds of schoolgirls have been hospitalized due to respiratory poisoning in several cities across Iran.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Tasnim, 37 schoolgirls were poisoned and hospitalized in a school in Pardis, Tehran Province.

The Governor of Pardis stated, “Right after reporting the poisoning, emergency forces reached the spot and transferred the poisoned school students to the hospital.”

“37 students were hospitalized, all of them have recovered from poisoning and are now in good health condition,” Reza Karimi Saleh added.
He also stated that the police’s preliminary investigation has detected some suspicious activities, which will be reported publicly after conclusive findings.

In recent weeks, similar suspicious poisoning incidents took place in several schools in cities like Qom and Borujerd.

A member of the Health and Medical Commission of Iran’s Parliament called these incidents “intentional.” Moreover, one of the deputies of Iran’s ministry of health stated that with these attacks, “some want all schools, especially girls’ schools, to be closed down.”

Also, Mohammad-Taghi Fazel Meybodi, a religious scholar and university professor, called these incidents intentional attacks organized by “religious groups.”