Interior Ministry Official: Traders Are Behind Recent Border Market Protests

An official from the Ministry of Interior denied the involvement of border residents from western Iran in recent protests at border markets, attributing these gatherings to "a group of traders and shopkeepers." In recent weeks, the restriction on goods entering from the western borders of Iran and the increase in tariffs have led to protests in various cities in Iranian Kurdistan, including Marivan, Baneh, Javanrud, and Saqqez, as well as Piranshahr in West Azerbaijan. Protests began in early Farvardin (March) after the borders were closed to کولبران (porters), and gradually expanded to shopkeepers and merchants. However, Shahryar Heydari, the Director General of Border Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, described the recent protests in Baneh's border markets as "illegal" and claimed that "border residents had no involvement" in these gatherings, asserting that it was orchestrated by traders. He added that "in the past... a number of traders... would procure goods and bring them inside for sale; this cycle was controlled by a limited number of traders who effectively turned border residents into their workers," and stated, "We have eliminated this cycle; instead of granting these privileges to traders, we will give them to the border residents themselves." Earlier, Souma Safari, a journalist from the Mukrian News Agency, which covers news from Kurdish regions, stated in an interview with Radio Farda that the closure of markets in border cities of Kurdistan Province was due to the authorities' neglect of shopkeepers' problems. The strike, based on images and reports later sent to Radio Farda by residents of these areas, has continued. Ms. Safari told Radio Farda that after the designation of the two borders of Sirabend and Bashmaq for the entry of goods and following the implementation of the کولبران organization plan, part of the payments to border residents and کولبران is made through customs duties collected from traders and shopkeepers. She added that the closure of the borders, which has reduced the entry of goods into the country, along with the increase in customs duties and clearance costs, has significantly raised the prices of goods, adversely affecting the businesses of merchants in border areas. This local journalist stated that reopening the borders and controlling clearance costs, as well as reducing taxes and rent for shops, are among the demands of shopkeepers and merchants. In this regard, the security and police chief of the Kurdistan governorate also stated on Saturday, the first of Ordibehesht (April), that "the closure of Baneh market followed the request of Baneh traders for a 50% customs discount." Reza Mirzaei reminded that "currently a 20% discount has been approved, and a 50% discount is not possible." In Azar 1396 (December 2017), Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, Iran's Minister of Interior, announced the government's decision to "stop کولبری" and establish 15 border markets, while also stating that this decision would have "social and security implications." The government of Hassan Rouhani began implementing the plan to prevent کولبری and to conduct "border exchanges with porter cards" from the ninth of Esfand (February) in the Sirabend market in Baneh. Ali Maqool, the head of the Import and Free and Special Zones Affairs of Iran's Customs, announced a monthly discount of 500,000 tomans for the entry of goods and a complete exemption from the 4% tax on the commercial card as some of the benefits of this card. However, this plan faced protests from کولبران and merchants, as well as severe criticism from representatives of these cities in the parliament. According to Rasoul Khazari, a representative from Piranshahr and Sardasht in the parliament, the government's decision to "prohibit کولبری and close the borders" has caused unemployment for "over 70 to 80 thousand کولبر." Mohsen Biglari, a representative from Saqqez and Baneh, also severely criticized the closure of border markets, stating that "it is surprising that only the goods of کولبران are seen as smuggling, and the order to close border markets is issued, while there is no action against organized smuggling and the illegal import of luxury vehicles." Mr. Biglari added that "there is no serious determination from the government to organize this situation," and for this reason, he will sign a letter of impeachment against the Minister of Interior. In recent days, protesters in at least two cities, Baneh and Marivan, have taken symbolic action by "spreading empty tables in the streets and alleys." Another report from the human rights organization Hengaw indicates that at least 12 people have been arrested during protests in various cities of Kurdistan Province, including Saqqez, Baneh, and Marivan. کولبران are individuals who carry goods across Iran's borders for their livelihood. They are mostly employed in the provinces of West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and Kermanshah. For years, Iranian media have reported on the deaths of several کولبران due to gunfire from border guards. Rasoul Khazari, a representative from Sardasht and Piranshahr in the parliament, has previously called for punishment for those who shoot at "کولبران" and stated that only "20%" of legal cases in this regard result in a verdict and payment of blood money to the survivors.