HANA Exclusive Report on the Unlawful Arrest of Children and Adolescents During the January Protests in Ilam and Kurdistan
6 January 2026
HANA Human Rights Organization expresses serious concern over the arrest of persons under 18 during the recent protests in Iran and calls for immediate transparency regarding their place of detention, legal status, alleged charges, arresting authority, and the procedures being applied in their cases. HANA stresses that, due to their age and heightened vulnerability, children and adolescents must benefit from enhanced safeguards at all stages, including arrest, investigation, and judicial proceedings, even where allegations are raised against them.
Based on information collected by HANA, the following individuals were arrested on 14 and 15 Dey 1404 (corresponding to 4 and 5 January 2026):
Ilam Province (and affiliated towns)
1. Artin Sohrabi (17), Ilam
2. Mohammadamin Mahmoudian (18), Sarableh
3. Abolfazl Pourrezai (18), Ilam
4. Amirali Abdian (16), Ilam
5. Firooz Faraji, Ilam (age not confirmed)
6. Mohammad Sadra Mansouri, Ilam (age not confirmed)
7. Sadra Yousefi (18), Darreh Shahr, Ilam
8. Amir Lotfi (18), Badreh
Sunday, 14 Dey 1404 (4 January 2026):
- Milad Seydmoradi (18), Dehloran
- Misagh Seydmoradi (18), Dehloran
- Moein Maleki (16), Dehloran
- Mehdi Kohani (17), Ilam
Kurdistan Province
Sunday, 14 Dey 1404 (4 January 2026):
- Raman Eghbali (17), Sanandaj
- Fouad Nikpey (17), village of Ney, Marivan County
- Rezgar Amani (15), Kamyaran
HANA has received information that Rezgar Amani was transferred to the Sanandaj Juvenile Rehabilitation and Correction Center under unspecified allegations, without clarity as to his legal status and without immediate access to his family or legal counsel.
HANA emphasizes that under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), all persons under 18 are considered children. Accordingly, at minimum, the named individuals aged 15, 16, and 17, including Rezgar Amani, Amirali Abdian, Artin Sohrabi, and Raman Eghbali, are entitled to special child-protection guarantees. For those whose ages have not been confirmed, accurate age determination is essential so that, where they are under 18, child-specific safeguards are applied without delay.
HANA warns of the risks arising from the detention of children and adolescents in conditions marked by legal uncertainty, including denial of access to family and counsel, exposure to physical or psychological pressure, and transfer to facilities inappropriate for their age. Punitive and security-driven responses against minors in the context of protests can cause serious and lasting harm to their wellbeing and future.
Iran is a State Party to the CRC, and under Article 9 of Iran’s Civil Code, treaty obligations have force within domestic law. In this framework, pre-trial detention must be used only as a measure of last resort and only where strictly necessary.
In addition, pursuant to Article 287 of Iran’s Code of Criminal Procedure, the principle is that a child or adolescent should be released to a parent or legal guardian, and detention at the preliminary investigation stage is permissible only in exceptional circumstances. These protections are not limited to the pre-trial stage and must be ensured throughout proceedings, including immediate contact with family, prohibition of physical or psychological coercion, and effective access to age-appropriate legal counsel and advice.
HANA therefore calls on the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to:
1. Immediately disclose the place of detention of all detainees, particularly those under 18.
2. Ensure prompt communication and visitation with families.
3. Guarantee access to legal counsel from the earliest hours of detention.
4. Refrain from holding minors in security detention facilities or age-inappropriate conditions, and apply lawful alternatives to detention.
5. Conduct an independent investigation into any allegations of ill-treatment, psychological pressure, threats, or denial of fair-trial rights.
HANA also asks citizens and families to share any additional information, including confirmed ages for those whose age is unknown, location of detention, arresting authority, the competent judicial branch, and the physical or psychological condition of the detainees, so that HANA’s legal office can complete documentation. This report will be updated.