UN Experts Urge End to Killings of Iranian Border Couriers
Independent UN specialists demand an end to lethal force against Kurdish and Baloch workers at Iran's borders.
Key points
- UN experts demand an end to lethal force against Kurdish and Baloch border workers.
- At least 12 kolbars and 13 sukhtbars were reportedly killed in 2026.
- Authorities are urged to conduct independent investigations into all deaths.
Four independent UN experts have urged Iranian authorities to stop using lethal force against border workers. They issued this call on 23 September, citing reports of unlawful killings.
The specialists focus on Kurdish kolbars and Baloch sukhtbars. These groups carry goods and fuel across borders. They are among the most economically marginalized people in Iran.
Reports of Unlawful Killings
According to the UN, at least 12 kolbars have died this year. Seven were reportedly killed in the last two months. Witnesses describe shots fired at close range without warning.
Several victims reportedly carried no goods when shot. Authorities often claim they fell from heights. Forensic records, however, show signs of gunshot wounds.
Human Cost and Lack of Data
The Kurdistan Human Rights Network highlights the human cost of these events. One worker died after months in intensive care. His family could not afford his medical treatment.
Iran does not publish official statistics on these deaths. Families and civil society groups must count the dead. This lack of transparency obscures the full scale of the issue.
Call for Independent Investigations
The experts state that customs violations do not justify firearms. They demand prompt and independent investigations into every death. Families are entitled to truth and accountability.
These incidents fit a broader pattern of reported killings. Attention often shifts to protests and executions. Deaths at the borders remain largely unnoticed by the public.
