Shabtabnews In this dark night, I have lost my way – Arise from a corner, oh you the star of guidance.
HRW – On March 23, 2022, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) reported that Iranian authorities arrested at least 20 people after organizing a Nowruz celebration in Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, on March 21. A day later, the Ministry of Intelligence office in Sanandaj summoned at least 10 more Kurdish activists and others for participating in the ceremony and detained at least one other person.
The holiday of Nowruz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated in Iran as the beginning of the new year. Several other communities in the region, including Kurds, celebrate the day as well.
According to KHRN, prior to Nowruz, Iranian security agencies in Kurdistan announced that any public Nowruz celebrations must have official permission from the governorates and have a flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran during the ceremonies. Additionally, authorities requested organizers to sign pledges that they would not use Kurdish symbols, such as red roses or white scarves, in their celebrations.
Following these arrests, a group of Kurdish activists, in a public statement on March 24, called on the government for the immediate release of all the detainees to respect people’s culture and traditions and remove the “official and unofficial bans.”
The Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) reported that older people and children were among those arrested, including a 75-year-old and a 14-year-old, who were later released on bail.
Iranian authorities restrict the cultural rights of ethnic minorities, including Kurds, on vague allegations of national security threats.
