According to information received by the Hana Human Rights Organization, the Public Places Supervision Office of the Law Enforcement Command in Saqqez has sealed several businesses in the city following the general strike on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Images received by Hana show that the sealing notices cite only the general phrase “failure to comply with trade union regulations,” and state that the businesses are prohibited from operating until further notice. The specific alleged violations, the legal basis for the decisions, and the duration of the closures have not been publicly disclosed.
The action followed the widespread closure of businesses in Saqqez and several other cities across Kurdistan, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the death of Jina(Mahsa) Amini. On the day of the strike, reports also emerged of a heavy security presence, restrictions on routes leading to Aichi Cemetery, threats against business owners, the prevention of some bereaved families from attending the cemetery, and the arrest of several citizens.
If the businesses were sealed because their owners participated in the strike, the measure would be punitive in nature and would be inconsistent with freedom of expression and peaceful protest. The forced closure of a business should be based on a specific violation, a reasoned decision by a competent authority, a clearly defined duration, and an effective avenue of appeal. Citing “trade union regulations” in general terms, without identifying the alleged conduct or its legal basis, is inconsistent with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and the prohibition of arbitrary decisions.
As of the publication of this report, the exact number of businesses sealed, the duration of their closure, and whether their owners have access to an appeal process remain unknown. Hana is continuing to investigate further information regarding the scope of the action.