Comprehensive Report on the Judicial and Human Rights Aspects of the Killing of “Yousef Shohli-Bor,” a Five-Year-Old Baloch Child in Iranshahr
Report Date: November 2025
Subject: Assessment of human rights violations, child rights violations, and due-process concerns in the case of the killing of Yousef Shohli-Bor
Introduction
On the evening of February 25, 2025, in the Chah-Jamal area of Iranshahr, security forces opened fire on a private vehicle carrying a Baloch family. As a result of this attack, Yousef Shohli-Bor, a five-year-old child, was killed, and his pregnant mother, Maryam Shahli-Bor, suffered severe injuries and consequently lost her fetus.
The incident sparked widespread grief and outrage across Balochistan. Although authorities initially promised accountability and legal action against the officers involved, the judicial process has since been marked by serious irregularities, contradictions, and opacity.
Judicial Proceedings and the Issuance of a “Non-Prosecution Order”
On November 4, 2025, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Iranshahr issued a non-prosecution order for the military personnel accused in this case—without holding a court session, without informing the family, and without granting access to legal representation.
The decision states that due to “insufficient evidence” and “the presumption of innocence,” the accused officers are exempted from prosecution.
However, the ruling was issued:
without notifying the victim’s family,
without the presence of their lawyer,
without a formal court hearing, and
without official delivery via the national judicial system.
Legal experts have noted that the document sent to the family appears to be an unfinished draft, lacking legal validity and issued outside proper judicial procedures—raising concerns of political or security pressure to prematurely close the case.
Contradictions in Jurisdiction and Procedural Legitimacy
Early in the investigation, judicial officials publicly announced that the case had been transferred to the city of Zahedan for impartial review.
However, the later issuance of a ruling in Iranshahr suggests that:
the case was either secretly returned without family notification, or
a parallel and unlawful investigation occurred in two jurisdictions at once.
Under Iranian criminal procedure, such dual or contradictory handling of a single case is illegal and undermines the integrity of the judicial process.
This inconsistency deepens concerns about the lack of independence and impartiality in cases involving state violence against Baloch citizens.
Impunity and Human Rights Violations
The Shohli-Bor case exemplifies a broader pattern of systemic impunity for armed forces in Balochistan, where shootings resulting in civilian deaths rarely lead to prosecution or punishment.
From a human-rights perspective, the non-prosecution order constitutes violations of:
the right to life,
the right to an effective remedy, and
the principle of equality before the law.
Additionally, the arrest and severe torture of a family member who pursued justice demonstrates clear violations of Articles 5 and 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit torture, arbitrary arrest, and intimidation.
Violations of Child Rights
Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child—which Iran has ratified—the state is obligated to:
protect children’s right to life,
prevent violence against children, and
ensure independent investigations when a child is killed or harmed.
The killing of a five-year-old child by state forces, followed by a non-transparent and incomplete investigation, is a grave violation of Articles 6 and 19 of this Convention.
Pressure on the Family and Obstruction of Justice
Throughout the months following the incident, the Shahli-Bor family has faced:
intimidation,
repeated summons and pressure,
arbitrary arrest of a close relative, and
documented physical torture.
Such actions constitute systematic pressure intended to silence victims and deter pursuit of justice.
In any legitimate legal framework, families of victims must be protected—not threatened—and must have full participation and representation throughout the judicial process.
Findings and Key Demands
Based on available evidence and the procedural irregularities observed, this report presents the following demands:
- An independent, impartial investigation into the shooting and killing of Yousef Shahli-Bor and the injury of his pregnant mother.
- Annulment of the non-prosecution order, due to violations of due process and exclusion of the victim’s family.
- Transparent legal accountability for all officers involved in the shooting.
- Protection and security guarantees for the Shahli-Bor family against intimidation and retaliation.
- Monitoring by national and international human-rights bodies of similar cases in Balochistan.
- Implementation of Iran’s obligations under international human-rights and child-rights treaties.
Conclusion
The killing of Yousef Shohli-Bor is not only a heartbreaking tragedy involving a defenseless child, but also a reflection of systemic failure to uphold justice, transparency, and accountability in cases involving Baloch citizens.
The issuance of a non-prosecution order—absent due process, legal representation, or transparency—highlights a recurring pattern of state impunity in the region.
Without independent oversight and genuine judicial reform, justice will remain unattainable for this family and for many others in Balochistan.
