The
Democratic Solidarity Party of Al-Ahwaz
(DSPA) has condemned the Syrian government's deportation of Ahwazi Arab refugees and the leader of the Ahwaz Liberation Organisation (ALO), 60 year old Dutch citizen Faleh Abdullah Al-Mansouri, to Iran as an act of "treachery". (
click here for more information on the deportations
)
The DSPA is a liberal democratic group which believes that Arab rights can be won through the devolution of power within a federal Iran, whereas the ALO advocates complete independence for Al-Ahwaz. The oil-rich Ahwazi Arab homeland enjoyed considerable autonomy and affluence until it was forcibly placed under Tehran's control by the forces of Reza Pahlavi in 1925. Despite ideological differences between the DSPA and the ALO, there are growing signs of solidarity within the Ahwazi opposition as the Iranian regime steps up its violent oppression in the region. The deportation of the five Ahwazis from Syria to Iran, where they will be executed for their political beliefs, has strengthened the bonds of solidarity between different Ahwazi groups.
In its statement, the DSPA was vociferous in its criticism of the government of President Bashar Al-Assad. It pointed out that Syria had been thought of as a safehaven for Ahwazi political refugees escaping the "bloodthirsty racism" of the Iranian regime. However, the DSPA, which represents the Ahwazis in the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO), accused the Syrian government of betraying its commitment to fraternity with the Arab world and acting unethically.
The party has called on human rights activists to stage sit-ins in front of Syrian embassies across Europe and North America "to express their dissatisfaction over this irresponsible action, especially in light of the dangerous escalation of repression and gross violations of human rights in Al-Ahwaz."
It adds: "The death sentences annouced against 10 innocent Ahwazis ten days ago is the best evidence of the barbarism of the Iranian regime and the extent of its hatred against its own Arab population, while trying to appear as the protector of Arabs and Muslims abroad."
The DSPA concluded by stating that the Ahwazis would continue to fight for their right to self-determination, despite the treachery of the Syrian government.
Click here to download the DSPA's statement in Arabic
permalink
keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
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