"Western governments say they support democracy in the Middle East, but none have given any support either in word or deed to the Ahwazi people in their struggle for freedom, democracy and human rights," said British Ahwazi Friendship Society (BAFS) activist and researcher, Ali Bani Torfi, at a hearing on Iran by the
Conservative Human Rights Commission
.
The hearing also took evidence from representatives of Kurdish and Bahai human rights organisations as well as Amnesty International. The Commission was established in 2005 by the Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague and is chaired by Stephen Crabb MP. It also includes several Members of Parliament, some of whom were present to hear evidence from BAFS on the persecution of Ahwazi Arabs, whose homeland has been occupied and ruled from Tehran since 1925.
In his address, Mr Bani Torfi compared the treatment of Ahwazi Arabs to apartheid in South Africa, with segregation in housing, employment and education enforced by extreme state violence. He said: "Successive Iranian regimes have denied Ahwazi rights as a people and have tried to ignore the existence of the Ahwazi Arab nation, calling them 'Arab-speakers' rather than Arabs denying their ethnicity due to their policy of Persianisation. This policy has involved government confiscation of Arab-owned land and 'ethnic restructuring', which typically involves the forced migration of Arabs out of Al-Ahwaz and their replacement with 'loyal' ethnic groups, particularly ethnic Persians.
"While UN agencies and leading human rights groups have catalogued the large number atrocities against the Ahwazi people â ranging from the land confiscation programme to the illegal killings and the incarceration of children â not a single democratic government has lifted a finger to address the issue of Ahwazi rights ... It is time for a change in attitudes. It is time to listen to the voice of the Ahwazis."
Labels: activism , human rights , UK
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24 May, 2007
British government "deeply concerned" over Iran's treatment of Ahwazis
British Foreign Minister Kim Howells has expressed "deep concern" about Iran's execution of Ahwazi Arabs and has pledged to take "all available opportunities to make clear to the Iranian authorities our concerns about minority rights in Iran."
Writing to the British Ahwazi Friendship Society (BAFS) in response to a joint appeal by Ahwazi groups to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mr Howells recognised that religious and ethnic minorities in Iran continued to face "intimidation and discrimination" by the regime. The minister, who has responsibility for British relations with the Middle East, highlighted British attempts to try to halt the execution of Ahwazi Arab activists. He also supported EU and UN General Assembly condemnation of human rights violations against minorities, including Arabs, Kurds, Balochis, Christians, Jews and Sunni Muslims.
The joint appeal by Ahwazi groups was made in April on the second anniversary of the Ahwazi intifada and was signed by the Ahwazi Community in the UK, Ahwazi Arab People's Democratic Popular Front, the Ahwazi Women's Centre, the British Ahwazi Friendship Society, the Ahwazi Human Rights Organisation, the Democratic Solidarity Party of Al-Ahwaz and the National United Movement of Al-Ahwaz. Activists handed in their petition to the Prime Minister's residence during a demonstration outside Downing Street in Westminster, which was supported by leading British human rights activist Peter Tatchell (pictured).
Click here to read the appeal
.
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British Foreign Minister Kim Howells has expressed "deep concern" about Iran's execution of Ahwazi Arabs and has pledged to take "all available opportunities to make clear to the Iranian authorities our concerns about minority rights in Iran."
Writing to the British Ahwazi Friendship Society (BAFS) in response to a joint appeal by Ahwazi groups to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mr Howells recognised that religious and ethnic minorities in Iran continued to face "intimidation and discrimination" by the regime. The minister, who has responsibility for British relations with the Middle East, highlighted British attempts to try to halt the execution of Ahwazi Arab activists. He also supported EU and UN General Assembly condemnation of human rights violations against minorities, including Arabs, Kurds, Balochis, Christians, Jews and Sunni Muslims.
The joint appeal by Ahwazi groups was made in April on the second anniversary of the Ahwazi intifada and was signed by the Ahwazi Community in the UK, Ahwazi Arab People's Democratic Popular Front, the Ahwazi Women's Centre, the British Ahwazi Friendship Society, the Ahwazi Human Rights Organisation, the Democratic Solidarity Party of Al-Ahwaz and the National United Movement of Al-Ahwaz. Activists handed in their petition to the Prime Minister's residence during a demonstration outside Downing Street in Westminster, which was supported by leading British human rights activist Peter Tatchell (pictured).
Click here to read the appeal
.
Labels: activism , UK
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"British responsible for Iranian embassy siege" - former hostage
An Iranian diplomat caught up in the 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege in London has accused the British government of deliberately killing the embassy's press attaché Abbas Lavasani during the SAS raid that ended the siege.
Speaking 27 years after the siege, Dr Gholam Ali Afrouz has called for the British government to pay compensation for "murdering" Lavasani, according to a Fars News Agency report .
The siege was carried out by the Democratic Revolutionary Movement for the Liberation of Arabistan, which demanded the release of Ahwazi prisoners and autonomy for the Ahwazi Arab homeland. Only one hostage taker, Fowzi Badawi Nejad, survived the SAS raid. He was sentenced to life imprisonment (25 years) for conspiracy to murder in 1981 but remains in prison on the orders of the Home Secretary, despite having his tariff reduced to 22 years in 2004 by the Court of Appeal.
Lavasani was one of two hostages were killed in the siege. He was killed and his body was dumped outside the embassy before the SAS stormed the building.
Afrouz's accusations that the SAS had killed Lavasani appear to be an attempt to rally anti-British sentiment in Iran and ensure that Fowzi Nejad is handed over to the Iranian authorities on his release. However, earlier this year the British government suspended a memorandum of understanding with Iran governing the deportation of Iranian asylum seekers, a move that has infuriated Iran.
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An Iranian diplomat caught up in the 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege in London has accused the British government of deliberately killing the embassy's press attaché Abbas Lavasani during the SAS raid that ended the siege.
Speaking 27 years after the siege, Dr Gholam Ali Afrouz has called for the British government to pay compensation for "murdering" Lavasani, according to a Fars News Agency report .
The siege was carried out by the Democratic Revolutionary Movement for the Liberation of Arabistan, which demanded the release of Ahwazi prisoners and autonomy for the Ahwazi Arab homeland. Only one hostage taker, Fowzi Badawi Nejad, survived the SAS raid. He was sentenced to life imprisonment (25 years) for conspiracy to murder in 1981 but remains in prison on the orders of the Home Secretary, despite having his tariff reduced to 22 years in 2004 by the Court of Appeal.
Lavasani was one of two hostages were killed in the siege. He was killed and his body was dumped outside the embassy before the SAS stormed the building.
Afrouz's accusations that the SAS had killed Lavasani appear to be an attempt to rally anti-British sentiment in Iran and ensure that Fowzi Nejad is handed over to the Iranian authorities on his release. However, earlier this year the British government suspended a memorandum of understanding with Iran governing the deportation of Iranian asylum seekers, a move that has infuriated Iran.
Labels: UK
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19 January, 2007
European condemnation of Iran's persecution of Ahwazi Arabs
The European Commission and the British government have condemned Iran's persecution of Ahwazi Arabs and the imminent execution of opposition activists in recent letters to British Green MEP Dr Caroline Lucas.
Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner , who has responsibility for external affairs, said that the European Union is examining intervening in the cases of men recently condemned to death for their alleged role in bomb attacks in Ahwaz. The planned executions were last week condemned by UN experts , which described their trials as making "a mockery of due process requirements." Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Iranian human rights activists such as Emad Baghi have also criticised the trial process of the men accused of "waging war on god."
Ferrero-Waldner added that the EU and its diplomatic missions in Tehran were "monitoring as closely as possible the situation in the Khuzestan province" and acknowledged that Ahwazi Arabs "do indeed suffer from discrimination."
Kim Howells , the British foreign minister with responsibility for the Middle East, said that the British government was "deeply concerned about the situation of religious and ethnic minorities in Iran, who continue to face discrimination and intimidation." He stated that the British government was "closely following" the cases of Ahwazi political prisoners sentenced to death. He added that "we have concerns about the conduct of their trial including whether it was held secretly behind closed doors, whether a jury was present, and whether defendants had adequate access to lawyers before the trial."
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The European Commission and the British government have condemned Iran's persecution of Ahwazi Arabs and the imminent execution of opposition activists in recent letters to British Green MEP Dr Caroline Lucas.
Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner , who has responsibility for external affairs, said that the European Union is examining intervening in the cases of men recently condemned to death for their alleged role in bomb attacks in Ahwaz. The planned executions were last week condemned by UN experts , which described their trials as making "a mockery of due process requirements." Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Iranian human rights activists such as Emad Baghi have also criticised the trial process of the men accused of "waging war on god."
Ferrero-Waldner added that the EU and its diplomatic missions in Tehran were "monitoring as closely as possible the situation in the Khuzestan province" and acknowledged that Ahwazi Arabs "do indeed suffer from discrimination."
Kim Howells , the British foreign minister with responsibility for the Middle East, said that the British government was "deeply concerned about the situation of religious and ethnic minorities in Iran, who continue to face discrimination and intimidation." He stated that the British government was "closely following" the cases of Ahwazi political prisoners sentenced to death. He added that "we have concerns about the conduct of their trial including whether it was held secretly behind closed doors, whether a jury was present, and whether defendants had adequate access to lawyers before the trial."
Labels: death penalty , EU , human rights , UK
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07 December, 2006
Intelligence Committee Chairman Condemns Iran's Execution of Ahwazis
The Chair of the British Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, Paul Murphy, has signed a parliamentary Early Day Motion (EDM) condemning Iran's persecution of Ahwazi Arabs. Mr Murphy, a former government minister, heads the powerful parliamentary committee which oversees the administration and policies of the
MI6
,
MI5
and
GCHQ
.
The EDM, which is a non-binding declaration by the legislature, was drafted by Labour MP Chris Bryant and has so far attracted the support of 47 MPs from across the political spectrum. Leading members of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs have also backed the EDM, including Labour leadership candidate John McDonnell.
The EDM states that "this House notes the long-running persecution of the Ahwazi Arabs" by the Iranian regime and condemns the planned execution of 10 Ahwazi Arabs. It "supports Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch in their complaints that Iranian justice has meant that many Ahwazi Arab defendants have had no opportunity to meet their lawyers before their case has begun, have had one-day trials in secret with no witnesses and have had false confessions extracted through torture; and calls on the Iranian Government to respect the human rights of all its peoples and to commute the death penalty in these cases."
Commenting on the victimisation of Iran's Arab minority, Mr Bryant said: "Iran's human rights record is pretty grisly on a wide range of issues, but the Ahwazi Arabs have suffered more than most from the authorities in Tehran.
"Of course Britain should try to have a good relationship with Iran, but it must be on the basis of an honest criticism of their human rights abuses.
"The widespread use of torture to extract so-called confessions, the refusal to allow defendants to have proper consultations with their lawyers before a trial begins, and the fact that many trials last less than a day and have no witnesses, means that many of these convictions would be considered completely unsound in any civilised country.
"I very much hope that the UK and the European Union will call on Iran to commute the death sentences," said Mr Bryant.
John McDonnell told the British Ahwazi Friendship Society (BAFS): "We all have a responsibility to stand up to protect the human rights and security of all those who are at risk. It is for this reason that I join many elected representatives drawn from across the world in calling for the rights of Ahwazi Arabs to be respected and for a halt to the threatened executions."
The EDM follows a successful move by British Green MEPs Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert to secure unanimous cross-party condemnation in the European Parliament of the planned execution of the 11 Ahwazi activists on 16 November. This was followed on 21 November by a Canadian sponsored UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Iran's "increasing discrimination and other human rights violations against ethnic and religious minorities" and its "persistent failure in Iran to comply fully with international standards in the administration of justice - including the absence of due process of law, the refusal to provide fair and public hearings, and the denial of the right to counsel by detainees."
Related stories: :
British Anti-War MPs condemn Iran's persecution of Ahwazi Arabs - 5 December
British Foreign Minister condemns Iran's treatment of Ahwazis facing execution - 28 November
British MPs condemn Ahwazi trials - 28 November
UN General Assembly Criticises Iran's Discrimination of Minorities - 23 November
Swedish MPs appeal to Ahmadinejad over executions - 19 November
European Parliament condemns Iran over Ahwazi executions - 16 November
Senior European Parliamentarian condemns Iran's ethnic cleansing - 14 November
"Iran is guilty of ethnic cleansing" - Green MEPs - 14 November
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keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
.......................................................................................
The Chair of the British Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, Paul Murphy, has signed a parliamentary Early Day Motion (EDM) condemning Iran's persecution of Ahwazi Arabs. Mr Murphy, a former government minister, heads the powerful parliamentary committee which oversees the administration and policies of the
MI6
,
MI5
and
GCHQ
.
The EDM, which is a non-binding declaration by the legislature, was drafted by Labour MP Chris Bryant and has so far attracted the support of 47 MPs from across the political spectrum. Leading members of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs have also backed the EDM, including Labour leadership candidate John McDonnell.
The EDM states that "this House notes the long-running persecution of the Ahwazi Arabs" by the Iranian regime and condemns the planned execution of 10 Ahwazi Arabs. It "supports Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch in their complaints that Iranian justice has meant that many Ahwazi Arab defendants have had no opportunity to meet their lawyers before their case has begun, have had one-day trials in secret with no witnesses and have had false confessions extracted through torture; and calls on the Iranian Government to respect the human rights of all its peoples and to commute the death penalty in these cases."
Commenting on the victimisation of Iran's Arab minority, Mr Bryant said: "Iran's human rights record is pretty grisly on a wide range of issues, but the Ahwazi Arabs have suffered more than most from the authorities in Tehran.
"Of course Britain should try to have a good relationship with Iran, but it must be on the basis of an honest criticism of their human rights abuses.
"The widespread use of torture to extract so-called confessions, the refusal to allow defendants to have proper consultations with their lawyers before a trial begins, and the fact that many trials last less than a day and have no witnesses, means that many of these convictions would be considered completely unsound in any civilised country.
"I very much hope that the UK and the European Union will call on Iran to commute the death sentences," said Mr Bryant.
John McDonnell told the British Ahwazi Friendship Society (BAFS): "We all have a responsibility to stand up to protect the human rights and security of all those who are at risk. It is for this reason that I join many elected representatives drawn from across the world in calling for the rights of Ahwazi Arabs to be respected and for a halt to the threatened executions."
The EDM follows a successful move by British Green MEPs Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert to secure unanimous cross-party condemnation in the European Parliament of the planned execution of the 11 Ahwazi activists on 16 November. This was followed on 21 November by a Canadian sponsored UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Iran's "increasing discrimination and other human rights violations against ethnic and religious minorities" and its "persistent failure in Iran to comply fully with international standards in the administration of justice - including the absence of due process of law, the refusal to provide fair and public hearings, and the denial of the right to counsel by detainees."
Related stories: :
British Anti-War MPs condemn Iran's persecution of Ahwazi Arabs - 5 December
British Foreign Minister condemns Iran's treatment of Ahwazis facing execution - 28 November
British MPs condemn Ahwazi trials - 28 November
UN General Assembly Criticises Iran's Discrimination of Minorities - 23 November
Swedish MPs appeal to Ahmadinejad over executions - 19 November
European Parliament condemns Iran over Ahwazi executions - 16 November
Senior European Parliamentarian condemns Iran's ethnic cleansing - 14 November
"Iran is guilty of ethnic cleansing" - Green MEPs - 14 November
Labels: death penalty , UK
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keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
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04 December, 2006
British Anti-War MPs condemn Iran's persecution of Ahwazi Arabs
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's attempts to generate support among critics of Western foreign policy are foundering due to growing concern over his government's treatment of Ahwazi Arabs.
Leading British anti-war MPs have signed an Early Day Motion criticising the Iranian regime's treatment of Ahwazi Arabs and calling for a halt to the execution of a number of Ahwazi men. The EDM, which has so far attracted the support of 42 MPs, notes "the long-running persecution of the Ahwazi Arabs in the south west Khuzestan region of Iran by the authorities in Tehran" and condemns the planned mass execution of Ahwazi Arabs. It also backs complaints by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch "that Iranian justice has meant that many Ahwazi Arab defendants have had no opportunity to meet their lawyers before their case has begun, have had one-day trials in secret with no witnesses and have had false confessions extracted through torture." ( click here to view the EDM text in full )
One of the signatories, John McDonnell (pictured), a left-wing MP who plans to stand for the Labour leadership when Tony Blair annouces his resignation, told the British Ahwazi Friendship Society (BAFS): "We all have a responsibility to stand up to protect the human rights and security of all those who are at risk. It is for this reason that I join many elected representatives drawn from across the world in calling for the rights of Ahwazi Arabs to be respected and for a halt to the threatened executions."
He is among eight members of the Socialist Campaign Group of left-wing Labour MPs who are supporting the EDM, along with Welsh nationalist Elfyn Llwyd and two members of Northern Ireland's Social Democratic and Labour Party who are also strong critics of Western foreign policy in the Middle East. The Green Party of England and Wales, which is affiliated to the Stop the War Coalition, has also criticised the treatment of Ahwazis. Last month Green MEPs Caroline Lucas - who is a Vice-President of the Stop the War Coalition - and Jean Lambert accused the Iranian regime of operating a policy of ethnic cleansing against Ahwazi Arabs ( click here for further details ). The Greens backed a cross-party European Parliament resolution condemning the planned executions.
BAFS Chairman Daniel Brett said: "The Ahwazi cause is often portrayed by the Iranian regime as part of a Western imperialist conspiracy to divide Iran and that Ahwazi Arabs are united behind President Ahmadinejad. However, even those opposed to Western military intervention in the Middle East are now highly critical of the persecution of Ahwazi Arabs.
"The regime cannot assume that it has the moral support of critics of Western foreign policy. The world is united in its condemnation of Iran's atrocious human rights violations, with the UN General Assembly strongly criticising the government's record.
"If the Iranian government wants to prove its critics wrong, then it must release all political prisoners, stop its campaign of executions, allow people to exercise their right to speech and freedom of association, halt the land confiscation programmes and end the persecution of women and minority groups."
Eleven Ahwazi Arabs are facing execution. They are:
1. Ali Mutairi from Mashour (Mahshahr)
2. Khalaf Khazeiri from Falahiyah (Shadegan)
3. Mohamad Chaab Pour from Tostar (Shoushtar)
4. Abdullah Farajulaah Chab from Tostar (Shoushtar)
5. Abdullah Solimani from Tostar (Shoushtar)
6. Majed Albu Ghubaish from Mashour (Mahshahr)
7. Ali Reza Asakre from Falahiyah (Shadegan)
8. Ghasem Salamat from Ahwaz City
9. Abdul Reza Sanawati from Ahwaz City
10. Saeed Hemidan from Khalafiyah (Ramshir)
11. Malek Banitamim from Tostar (Shoushtar)
The executions were due to take place on 14 November, but foreign governments have lobbied intensively to save the men's lives. On 16 November, the European Parliament voted unanimously to condemn the executions and on 21 November the UN General Assembly condemned Iran's justice system and the continued persecution of ethnic minority groups ( click here for details ).
Related stories: :
British Foreign Minister condemns Iran's treatment of Ahwazis facing execution - 28 November
British MPs condemn Ahwazi trials - 28 November
Executions of 11 Ahwazis Delayed - 23 November
UN General Assembly Criticises Iran's Discrimination of Minorities - 23 November
Ahwazis and Balochis demonstrate against Iran regime - 19 November
Swedish MPs appeal to Ahmadinejad over executions - 19 November
UNPO Continues Appeal to Halt Executions of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran - 19 November
Iran sentences three more Ahwazis to death - 18 November
European Parliament condemns Iran over Ahwazi executions - 16 November
"The barbaric deaths meant to spread fear" - Daily Mail - 16 November
Balochis and Azeris rally against Iran's executions - 16 November
Iran: Flawed trials and injustice - 15 November
Ahwazi men "confess" to belonging to obscure militant group - 15 November
UNPO Call to Stop Public Executions of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran - 14 November
Senior European Parliamentarian condemns Iran's ethnic cleansing - 14 November
Eleventh Ahwazi added to the list of those facing execution - 14 November
"Iran is guilty of ethnic cleansing" - Green MEPs - 14 November
Iran regime shows forced "confessions" on Khuzestan TV - 13 November
Mass executions of Ahwazis threaten Middle East security - 12 November
Ten Ahwazi Arabs to hang in public - 11 November
Psychologist sentenced to 20 years imprisonment - 18 October
"27 Ahwazi dissidents in custody" - Emadeddin Baghi - 9 September
Death sentence for Ahwazis confirmed by Supreme Court - 31 July
Son of Ahwazi sentenced to death appeals to Kofi Annan - 27 July
Urgent Appeal to EU Foreign Affairs Chief over Iran Executions - 11 July
Iran: Retry Ethnic Arabs Condemned to Death - 24 June
UNPO Urgent Appeal Concerning Ahwazi Executions
Ahwazis face arrest, deportation and execution - 1 June
Amnesty International: Eleven Ahwazis Face Execution - 17 May
Iran prepares for new round of executions in Ahwaz - 13 May
Executed: Young Men Hung by Iranian Tyrants - 2 March
Iran prepares to execute tribal family - 19 February
Iran sentences seven over Ahwaz bombings - 15 February
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keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
.......................................................................................
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's attempts to generate support among critics of Western foreign policy are foundering due to growing concern over his government's treatment of Ahwazi Arabs.
Leading British anti-war MPs have signed an Early Day Motion criticising the Iranian regime's treatment of Ahwazi Arabs and calling for a halt to the execution of a number of Ahwazi men. The EDM, which has so far attracted the support of 42 MPs, notes "the long-running persecution of the Ahwazi Arabs in the south west Khuzestan region of Iran by the authorities in Tehran" and condemns the planned mass execution of Ahwazi Arabs. It also backs complaints by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch "that Iranian justice has meant that many Ahwazi Arab defendants have had no opportunity to meet their lawyers before their case has begun, have had one-day trials in secret with no witnesses and have had false confessions extracted through torture." ( click here to view the EDM text in full )
One of the signatories, John McDonnell (pictured), a left-wing MP who plans to stand for the Labour leadership when Tony Blair annouces his resignation, told the British Ahwazi Friendship Society (BAFS): "We all have a responsibility to stand up to protect the human rights and security of all those who are at risk. It is for this reason that I join many elected representatives drawn from across the world in calling for the rights of Ahwazi Arabs to be respected and for a halt to the threatened executions."
He is among eight members of the Socialist Campaign Group of left-wing Labour MPs who are supporting the EDM, along with Welsh nationalist Elfyn Llwyd and two members of Northern Ireland's Social Democratic and Labour Party who are also strong critics of Western foreign policy in the Middle East. The Green Party of England and Wales, which is affiliated to the Stop the War Coalition, has also criticised the treatment of Ahwazis. Last month Green MEPs Caroline Lucas - who is a Vice-President of the Stop the War Coalition - and Jean Lambert accused the Iranian regime of operating a policy of ethnic cleansing against Ahwazi Arabs ( click here for further details ). The Greens backed a cross-party European Parliament resolution condemning the planned executions.
BAFS Chairman Daniel Brett said: "The Ahwazi cause is often portrayed by the Iranian regime as part of a Western imperialist conspiracy to divide Iran and that Ahwazi Arabs are united behind President Ahmadinejad. However, even those opposed to Western military intervention in the Middle East are now highly critical of the persecution of Ahwazi Arabs.
"The regime cannot assume that it has the moral support of critics of Western foreign policy. The world is united in its condemnation of Iran's atrocious human rights violations, with the UN General Assembly strongly criticising the government's record.
"If the Iranian government wants to prove its critics wrong, then it must release all political prisoners, stop its campaign of executions, allow people to exercise their right to speech and freedom of association, halt the land confiscation programmes and end the persecution of women and minority groups."
Eleven Ahwazi Arabs are facing execution. They are:
1. Ali Mutairi from Mashour (Mahshahr)
2. Khalaf Khazeiri from Falahiyah (Shadegan)
3. Mohamad Chaab Pour from Tostar (Shoushtar)
4. Abdullah Farajulaah Chab from Tostar (Shoushtar)
5. Abdullah Solimani from Tostar (Shoushtar)
6. Majed Albu Ghubaish from Mashour (Mahshahr)
7. Ali Reza Asakre from Falahiyah (Shadegan)
8. Ghasem Salamat from Ahwaz City
9. Abdul Reza Sanawati from Ahwaz City
10. Saeed Hemidan from Khalafiyah (Ramshir)
11. Malek Banitamim from Tostar (Shoushtar)
The executions were due to take place on 14 November, but foreign governments have lobbied intensively to save the men's lives. On 16 November, the European Parliament voted unanimously to condemn the executions and on 21 November the UN General Assembly condemned Iran's justice system and the continued persecution of ethnic minority groups ( click here for details ).
Related stories: :
British Foreign Minister condemns Iran's treatment of Ahwazis facing execution - 28 November
British MPs condemn Ahwazi trials - 28 November
Executions of 11 Ahwazis Delayed - 23 November
UN General Assembly Criticises Iran's Discrimination of Minorities - 23 November
Ahwazis and Balochis demonstrate against Iran regime - 19 November
Swedish MPs appeal to Ahmadinejad over executions - 19 November
UNPO Continues Appeal to Halt Executions of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran - 19 November
Iran sentences three more Ahwazis to death - 18 November
European Parliament condemns Iran over Ahwazi executions - 16 November
"The barbaric deaths meant to spread fear" - Daily Mail - 16 November
Balochis and Azeris rally against Iran's executions - 16 November
Iran: Flawed trials and injustice - 15 November
Ahwazi men "confess" to belonging to obscure militant group - 15 November
UNPO Call to Stop Public Executions of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran - 14 November
Senior European Parliamentarian condemns Iran's ethnic cleansing - 14 November
Eleventh Ahwazi added to the list of those facing execution - 14 November
"Iran is guilty of ethnic cleansing" - Green MEPs - 14 November
Iran regime shows forced "confessions" on Khuzestan TV - 13 November
Mass executions of Ahwazis threaten Middle East security - 12 November
Ten Ahwazi Arabs to hang in public - 11 November
Psychologist sentenced to 20 years imprisonment - 18 October
"27 Ahwazi dissidents in custody" - Emadeddin Baghi - 9 September
Death sentence for Ahwazis confirmed by Supreme Court - 31 July
Son of Ahwazi sentenced to death appeals to Kofi Annan - 27 July
Urgent Appeal to EU Foreign Affairs Chief over Iran Executions - 11 July
Iran: Retry Ethnic Arabs Condemned to Death - 24 June
UNPO Urgent Appeal Concerning Ahwazi Executions
Ahwazis face arrest, deportation and execution - 1 June
Amnesty International: Eleven Ahwazis Face Execution - 17 May
Iran prepares for new round of executions in Ahwaz - 13 May
Executed: Young Men Hung by Iranian Tyrants - 2 March
Iran prepares to execute tribal family - 19 February
Iran sentences seven over Ahwaz bombings - 15 February
Labels: death penalty , UK
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27 November, 2006
British Foreign Minister condemns Iran's treatment of Ahwazis facing execution
British Foreign Minister Kim Howells has voiced his opposition to the planned execution of Ahwazi Arabs, who were convicted of "waging war on God" in Iran's secret revolutionary court in Ahwaz City (
click here for his full response
).
In a reply to a written question by Conservative MP Graham Stuart, Mr Howells, Minister of State with responsibility for the Middle East portfolio, said that the UK government had "closely monitored" the cases of 11 men facing execution. He said: "We oppose and condemn the death penalty in all its forms. In this case, we have specific concerns about the conduct of the trial including whether it was held secretly behind closed doors; whether a jury was present; and whether the defendants had adequate access to lawyers before the trial.
"The presidency of the EU raised our concerns about this case with the Director General of the International Department of the Judiciary on 20 November and highlighted the EU's longstanding objection to the death penalty in all its forms. We will continue to monitor this case closely with EU colleagues."
Mr Howells' condemnation coincides with an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons condemning the trials and executions ( click here for more information ). The EDM was drafted by Labour MP Chris Bryant and supported by MPs across the political spectrum, from Jeremy Corbyn on the left to Michael Gove on the right. It follows a successful move by British Green MEPs Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert to secure unanimous cross-party condemnation in the European Parliament of the planned execution of the 11 Ahwazi activists on 16 November ( click here for further details ). On 21 November the UN General Assembly approved a Canadian-sponsored motion condemning Iran's "increasing discrimination and other human rights violations against ethnic and religious minorities" and its "persistent failure in Iran to comply fully with international standards in the administration of justice - including the absence of due process of law, the refusal to provide fair and public hearings, and the denial of the right to counsel by detainees." ( click here for further information )
Related stories: :
British MPs condemn Ahwazi trials - 28 November
Executions of 11 Ahwazis Delayed - 23 November
UN General Assembly Criticises Iran's Discrimination of Minorities - 23 November
Ahwazis and Balochis demonstrate against Iran regime - 19 November
Swedish MPs appeal to Ahmadinejad over executions - 19 November
UNPO Continues Appeal to Halt Executions of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran - 19 November
Iran sentences three more Ahwazis to death - 18 November
European Parliament condemns Iran over Ahwazi executions - 16 November
"The barbaric deaths meant to spread fear" - Daily Mail - 16 November
Balochis and Azeris rally against Iran's executions - 16 November
Iran: Flawed trials and injustice - 15 November
Ahwazi men "confess" to belonging to obscure militant group - 15 November
UNPO Call to Stop Public Executions of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran - 14 November
Senior European Parliamentarian condemns Iran's ethnic cleansing - 14 November
Eleventh Ahwazi added to the list of those facing execution - 14 November
"Iran is guilty of ethnic cleansing" - Green MEPs - 14 November
Iran regime shows forced "confessions" on Khuzestan TV - 13 November
Mass executions of Ahwazis threaten Middle East security - 12 November
Ten Ahwazi Arabs to hang in public - 11 November
Psychologist sentenced to 20 years imprisonment - 18 October
"27 Ahwazi dissidents in custody" - Emadeddin Baghi - 9 September
Death sentence for Ahwazis confirmed by Supreme Court - 31 July
Son of Ahwazi sentenced to death appeals to Kofi Annan - 27 July
Urgent Appeal to EU Foreign Affairs Chief over Iran Executions - 11 July
Iran: Retry Ethnic Arabs Condemned to Death - 24 June
UNPO Urgent Appeal Concerning Ahwazi Executions
Ahwazis face arrest, deportation and execution - 1 June
Amnesty International: Eleven Ahwazis Face Execution - 17 May
Iran prepares for new round of executions in Ahwaz - 13 May
Executed: Young Men Hung by Iranian Tyrants - 2 March
Iran prepares to execute tribal family - 19 February
Iran sentences seven over Ahwaz bombings - 15 February
Iran increases repression in Ahwaz - 8 February
Ahwaz Bombings Come After Weeks of Unrest - 24 January
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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British Foreign Minister Kim Howells has voiced his opposition to the planned execution of Ahwazi Arabs, who were convicted of "waging war on God" in Iran's secret revolutionary court in Ahwaz City (
click here for his full response
).
In a reply to a written question by Conservative MP Graham Stuart, Mr Howells, Minister of State with responsibility for the Middle East portfolio, said that the UK government had "closely monitored" the cases of 11 men facing execution. He said: "We oppose and condemn the death penalty in all its forms. In this case, we have specific concerns about the conduct of the trial including whether it was held secretly behind closed doors; whether a jury was present; and whether the defendants had adequate access to lawyers before the trial.
"The presidency of the EU raised our concerns about this case with the Director General of the International Department of the Judiciary on 20 November and highlighted the EU's longstanding objection to the death penalty in all its forms. We will continue to monitor this case closely with EU colleagues."
Mr Howells' condemnation coincides with an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons condemning the trials and executions ( click here for more information ). The EDM was drafted by Labour MP Chris Bryant and supported by MPs across the political spectrum, from Jeremy Corbyn on the left to Michael Gove on the right. It follows a successful move by British Green MEPs Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert to secure unanimous cross-party condemnation in the European Parliament of the planned execution of the 11 Ahwazi activists on 16 November ( click here for further details ). On 21 November the UN General Assembly approved a Canadian-sponsored motion condemning Iran's "increasing discrimination and other human rights violations against ethnic and religious minorities" and its "persistent failure in Iran to comply fully with international standards in the administration of justice - including the absence of due process of law, the refusal to provide fair and public hearings, and the denial of the right to counsel by detainees." ( click here for further information )
Related stories: :
British MPs condemn Ahwazi trials - 28 November
Executions of 11 Ahwazis Delayed - 23 November
UN General Assembly Criticises Iran's Discrimination of Minorities - 23 November
Ahwazis and Balochis demonstrate against Iran regime - 19 November
Swedish MPs appeal to Ahmadinejad over executions - 19 November
UNPO Continues Appeal to Halt Executions of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran - 19 November
Iran sentences three more Ahwazis to death - 18 November
European Parliament condemns Iran over Ahwazi executions - 16 November
"The barbaric deaths meant to spread fear" - Daily Mail - 16 November
Balochis and Azeris rally against Iran's executions - 16 November
Iran: Flawed trials and injustice - 15 November
Ahwazi men "confess" to belonging to obscure militant group - 15 November
UNPO Call to Stop Public Executions of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran - 14 November
Senior European Parliamentarian condemns Iran's ethnic cleansing - 14 November
Eleventh Ahwazi added to the list of those facing execution - 14 November
"Iran is guilty of ethnic cleansing" - Green MEPs - 14 November
Iran regime shows forced "confessions" on Khuzestan TV - 13 November
Mass executions of Ahwazis threaten Middle East security - 12 November
Ten Ahwazi Arabs to hang in public - 11 November
Psychologist sentenced to 20 years imprisonment - 18 October
"27 Ahwazi dissidents in custody" - Emadeddin Baghi - 9 September
Death sentence for Ahwazis confirmed by Supreme Court - 31 July
Son of Ahwazi sentenced to death appeals to Kofi Annan - 27 July
Urgent Appeal to EU Foreign Affairs Chief over Iran Executions - 11 July
Iran: Retry Ethnic Arabs Condemned to Death - 24 June
UNPO Urgent Appeal Concerning Ahwazi Executions
Ahwazis face arrest, deportation and execution - 1 June
Amnesty International: Eleven Ahwazis Face Execution - 17 May
Iran prepares for new round of executions in Ahwaz - 13 May
Executed: Young Men Hung by Iranian Tyrants - 2 March
Iran prepares to execute tribal family - 19 February
Iran sentences seven over Ahwaz bombings - 15 February
Iran increases repression in Ahwaz - 8 February
Ahwaz Bombings Come After Weeks of Unrest - 24 January
Labels: death penalty , UK
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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British MPs condemn Ahwazi trials: Tehran urged to commute death sentences
Thirty-three British MPs, from Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Plaid Cymru (Party of Wales) and Northern Ireland's Social Democrat and Labour Party, have signed an Early Day Motion condemning as unfair the recent trials of 10 Ahwazi Arab rights activists (
click here for EDM text
). They are calling on the Iranian government to commute the death sentences. Since the EDM was submitted, a further five Ahwazi activists are known to have been sentenced to death and many more are awaiting trial.
The EDM was drafted by Labour MP Chris Bryant and supported by MPs across the political spectrum, from Jeremy Corbyn on the left to Michael Gove on the right. It follows a successful move by British Green MEPs Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert to secure unanimous cross-party condemnation in the European Parliament of the planned execution of the 11 Ahwazi activists on 16 November ( click here for further details ). This was followed on 21 November by a Canadian sponsored UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Iran's "increasing discrimination and other human rights violations against ethnic and religious minorities" and its "persistent failure in Iran to comply fully with international standards in the administration of justice - including the absence of due process of law, the refusal to provide fair and public hearings, and the denial of the right to counsel by detainees." ( click here for further information )
Commenting on the victimisation of Iran's Arab minority, Mr Bryant said: "Iran's human rights record is pretty grisly on a wide range of issues, but the Ahwazi Arabs have suffered more than most from the authorities in Tehran.
"Of course Britain should try to have a good relationship with Iran, but it must be on the basis of an honest criticism of their human rights abuses.
"The widespread use of torture to extract so-called confessions, the refusal to allow defendants to have proper consultations with their lawyers before a trial begins, and the fact that many trials last less than a day and have no witnesses, means that many of these convictions would be considered completely unsound in any civilised country.
"I very much hope that the UK and the European Union will call on Iran to commute the death sentences," said Mr Bryant.
Daniel Brett, Chairman of the British Ahwazi Friendship Society, said: "The Ahwazi community, particularly the families of those facing execution, will be thankful of the international solidarity with the men on trial and the efforts of British politicians such as Chris Bryant, Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert to campaign on their behalf. The solidarity shown by the British and European Parliaments and the UN General Assembly has given Ahwazis a sense of hope and optimism, showing that there is an alternative to armed conflict to advance their campaign for equality, freedom and justice.
"It was widely expected that the death sentences would be carried out two weeks ago, following forced confessions by the 11 Ahwazi human rights activists on Khuzestan TV. However, there appears to be a delay. We hope that this is in response to international and domestic pressure and that the government is considering either commuting the death penalties, ordering a retrial that meets international standards and Iran's own obligations, or that the men will be set free.
"No country's judicial system is perfect. But in Iran's case, these miscarriages of justice appear to be the result of political interference at the highest level. Is the Iranian government strong and confident enough to admit the mistakes in these cases? It will certainly prove its critics wrong if it does."
The following is the text of the Early Day Motion in the House of Commons:
EDM 128 EXECUTION OF AHWAZI ARABS
16.11.2006
Moved by Chris Bryant, MP
That this House notes the long-running persecution of the Ahwazi Arabs in the south west Khuzestan region of Iran by the authorities in Tehran; further notes that 10 Ahwazi Arabs named Ali Motairi, Abdullah Solaimani, Abdulreza Sanawati (Zergani), Ghasem Salamat, Mohamad Chaab Pour, Abdulamir Farajullah Chaab, Alireza Asakreh, Majed Alboghubaish, Khalaf Khaziri and Malek Banitamim have been sentenced to death; supports Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch in their complaints that Iranian justice has meant that many Ahwazi Arab defendants have had no opportunity to meet their lawyers before their case has begun, have had one-day trials in secret with no witnesses and have had false confessions extracted through torture; and calls on the Iranian Government to respect the human rights of all its peoples and to commute the death penalty in these cases.
Signatories:
Chris Bryant (Labour)
Michael Gove (Conservative)
Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat)
Peter Bottomley (Conservative)
Andrew George (Liberal Democrat)
David Drew (Labour)
Mark Durkan (Social Democrat and Labour Party)
Robert N Wareing (Labour)
Stephen Williams (Liberal Democrat)
Greg Pope (Labour)
Kelvin Hopkins (Labour)
Lynne Jones (Labour)
Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru - Party of Wales)
Albert Owen (Labour)
Derek Conway (Conservative)
Jeremy Corbyn (Labour)
Mark Williams (Liberal Democrat)
Bob Spink (Conservative)
Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat)
Mark Lazarowicz (Labour)
Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic and Labour Party)
Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat)
Colin Breed (Liberal Democrat)
Martin Caton (Labour)
Derek Wyatt (Labour)
Edward Vaizey (Conservative)
Julie Morgan (Labour)
Evan Harris (Liberal Democrat)
Brian Jenkins (Labour)
Ann Cryer (Labour)
Janet Dean (Labour)
Neil Gerrard (Labour)
John Hemming (Liberal Democrat)
Related stories: :
Executions of 11 Ahwazis Delayed - 23 November
UN General Assembly Criticises Iran's Discrimination of Minorities - 23 November
Ahwazis and Balochis demonstrate against Iran regime - 19 November
Swedish MPs appeal to Ahmadinejad over executions - 19 November
UNPO Continues Appeal to Halt Executions of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran - 19 November
Iran sentences three more Ahwazis to death - 18 November
European Parliament condemns Iran over Ahwazi executions - 16 November
"The barbaric deaths meant to spread fear" - Daily Mail - 16 November
Balochis and Azeris rally against Iran's executions - 16 November
Iran: Flawed trials and injustice - 15 November
Ahwazi men "confess" to belonging to obscure militant group - 15 November
UNPO Call to Stop Public Executions of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran - 14 November
Senior European Parliamentarian condemns Iran's ethnic cleansing - 14 November
Eleventh Ahwazi added to the list of those facing execution - 14 November
"Iran is guilty of ethnic cleansing" - Green MEPs - 14 November
Iran regime shows forced "confessions" on Khuzestan TV - 13 November
Mass executions of Ahwazis threaten Middle East security - 12 November
Ten Ahwazi Arabs to hang in public - 11 November
Psychologist sentenced to 20 years imprisonment - 18 October
"27 Ahwazi dissidents in custody" - Emadeddin Baghi - 9 September
Death sentence for Ahwazis confirmed by Supreme Court - 31 July
Son of Ahwazi sentenced to death appeals to Kofi Annan - 27 July
Urgent Appeal to EU Foreign Affairs Chief over Iran Executions - 11 July
Iran: Retry Ethnic Arabs Condemned to Death - 24 June
UNPO Urgent Appeal Concerning Ahwazi Executions
Ahwazis face arrest, deportation and execution - 1 June
Amnesty International: Eleven Ahwazis Face Execution - 17 May
Iran prepares for new round of executions in Ahwaz - 13 May
Executed: Young Men Hung by Iranian Tyrants - 2 March
Iran prepares to execute tribal family - 19 February
Iran sentences seven over Ahwaz bombings - 15 February
Iran increases repression in Ahwaz - 8 February
Ahwaz Bombings Come After Weeks of Unrest - 24 January
permalink
keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
.......................................................................................
Thirty-three British MPs, from Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Plaid Cymru (Party of Wales) and Northern Ireland's Social Democrat and Labour Party, have signed an Early Day Motion condemning as unfair the recent trials of 10 Ahwazi Arab rights activists (
click here for EDM text
). They are calling on the Iranian government to commute the death sentences. Since the EDM was submitted, a further five Ahwazi activists are known to have been sentenced to death and many more are awaiting trial.
The EDM was drafted by Labour MP Chris Bryant and supported by MPs across the political spectrum, from Jeremy Corbyn on the left to Michael Gove on the right. It follows a successful move by British Green MEPs Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert to secure unanimous cross-party condemnation in the European Parliament of the planned execution of the 11 Ahwazi activists on 16 November ( click here for further details ). This was followed on 21 November by a Canadian sponsored UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Iran's "increasing discrimination and other human rights violations against ethnic and religious minorities" and its "persistent failure in Iran to comply fully with international standards in the administration of justice - including the absence of due process of law, the refusal to provide fair and public hearings, and the denial of the right to counsel by detainees." ( click here for further information )
Commenting on the victimisation of Iran's Arab minority, Mr Bryant said: "Iran's human rights record is pretty grisly on a wide range of issues, but the Ahwazi Arabs have suffered more than most from the authorities in Tehran.
"Of course Britain should try to have a good relationship with Iran, but it must be on the basis of an honest criticism of their human rights abuses.
"The widespread use of torture to extract so-called confessions, the refusal to allow defendants to have proper consultations with their lawyers before a trial begins, and the fact that many trials last less than a day and have no witnesses, means that many of these convictions would be considered completely unsound in any civilised country.
"I very much hope that the UK and the European Union will call on Iran to commute the death sentences," said Mr Bryant.
Daniel Brett, Chairman of the British Ahwazi Friendship Society, said: "The Ahwazi community, particularly the families of those facing execution, will be thankful of the international solidarity with the men on trial and the efforts of British politicians such as Chris Bryant, Caroline Lucas and Jean Lambert to campaign on their behalf. The solidarity shown by the British and European Parliaments and the UN General Assembly has given Ahwazis a sense of hope and optimism, showing that there is an alternative to armed conflict to advance their campaign for equality, freedom and justice.
"It was widely expected that the death sentences would be carried out two weeks ago, following forced confessions by the 11 Ahwazi human rights activists on Khuzestan TV. However, there appears to be a delay. We hope that this is in response to international and domestic pressure and that the government is considering either commuting the death penalties, ordering a retrial that meets international standards and Iran's own obligations, or that the men will be set free.
"No country's judicial system is perfect. But in Iran's case, these miscarriages of justice appear to be the result of political interference at the highest level. Is the Iranian government strong and confident enough to admit the mistakes in these cases? It will certainly prove its critics wrong if it does."
The following is the text of the Early Day Motion in the House of Commons:
EDM 128 EXECUTION OF AHWAZI ARABS
16.11.2006
Moved by Chris Bryant, MP
That this House notes the long-running persecution of the Ahwazi Arabs in the south west Khuzestan region of Iran by the authorities in Tehran; further notes that 10 Ahwazi Arabs named Ali Motairi, Abdullah Solaimani, Abdulreza Sanawati (Zergani), Ghasem Salamat, Mohamad Chaab Pour, Abdulamir Farajullah Chaab, Alireza Asakreh, Majed Alboghubaish, Khalaf Khaziri and Malek Banitamim have been sentenced to death; supports Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch in their complaints that Iranian justice has meant that many Ahwazi Arab defendants have had no opportunity to meet their lawyers before their case has begun, have had one-day trials in secret with no witnesses and have had false confessions extracted through torture; and calls on the Iranian Government to respect the human rights of all its peoples and to commute the death penalty in these cases.
Signatories:
Chris Bryant (Labour)
Michael Gove (Conservative)
Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat)
Peter Bottomley (Conservative)
Andrew George (Liberal Democrat)
David Drew (Labour)
Mark Durkan (Social Democrat and Labour Party)
Robert N Wareing (Labour)
Stephen Williams (Liberal Democrat)
Greg Pope (Labour)
Kelvin Hopkins (Labour)
Lynne Jones (Labour)
Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru - Party of Wales)
Albert Owen (Labour)
Derek Conway (Conservative)
Jeremy Corbyn (Labour)
Mark Williams (Liberal Democrat)
Bob Spink (Conservative)
Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat)
Mark Lazarowicz (Labour)
Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic and Labour Party)
Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat)
Colin Breed (Liberal Democrat)
Martin Caton (Labour)
Derek Wyatt (Labour)
Edward Vaizey (Conservative)
Julie Morgan (Labour)
Evan Harris (Liberal Democrat)
Brian Jenkins (Labour)
Ann Cryer (Labour)
Janet Dean (Labour)
Neil Gerrard (Labour)
John Hemming (Liberal Democrat)
Related stories: :
Executions of 11 Ahwazis Delayed - 23 November
UN General Assembly Criticises Iran's Discrimination of Minorities - 23 November
Ahwazis and Balochis demonstrate against Iran regime - 19 November
Swedish MPs appeal to Ahmadinejad over executions - 19 November
UNPO Continues Appeal to Halt Executions of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran - 19 November
Iran sentences three more Ahwazis to death - 18 November
European Parliament condemns Iran over Ahwazi executions - 16 November
"The barbaric deaths meant to spread fear" - Daily Mail - 16 November
Balochis and Azeris rally against Iran's executions - 16 November
Iran: Flawed trials and injustice - 15 November
Ahwazi men "confess" to belonging to obscure militant group - 15 November
UNPO Call to Stop Public Executions of Ahwazi Arabs in Iran - 14 November
Senior European Parliamentarian condemns Iran's ethnic cleansing - 14 November
Eleventh Ahwazi added to the list of those facing execution - 14 November
"Iran is guilty of ethnic cleansing" - Green MEPs - 14 November
Iran regime shows forced "confessions" on Khuzestan TV - 13 November
Mass executions of Ahwazis threaten Middle East security - 12 November
Ten Ahwazi Arabs to hang in public - 11 November
Psychologist sentenced to 20 years imprisonment - 18 October
"27 Ahwazi dissidents in custody" - Emadeddin Baghi - 9 September
Death sentence for Ahwazis confirmed by Supreme Court - 31 July
Son of Ahwazi sentenced to death appeals to Kofi Annan - 27 July
Urgent Appeal to EU Foreign Affairs Chief over Iran Executions - 11 July
Iran: Retry Ethnic Arabs Condemned to Death - 24 June
UNPO Urgent Appeal Concerning Ahwazi Executions
Ahwazis face arrest, deportation and execution - 1 June
Amnesty International: Eleven Ahwazis Face Execution - 17 May
Iran prepares for new round of executions in Ahwaz - 13 May
Executed: Young Men Hung by Iranian Tyrants - 2 March
Iran prepares to execute tribal family - 19 February
Iran sentences seven over Ahwaz bombings - 15 February
Iran increases repression in Ahwaz - 8 February
Ahwaz Bombings Come After Weeks of Unrest - 24 January
Labels: death penalty , UK
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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07 November, 2006
Fowzi Badawi Nejad could be released in January
A parole board is to rule on the release of the only surviving hostage taker involved in the 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege, Fowzi Badavi Nejad, in January.
An Ahwazi Arab and former member of the Democratic Revolutionary Movement for the Liberation of Arabistan, he was just 23 when he took part in the siege. The other hostage-takers were killed when the SAS stormed the building to release the hostages. Nejad was sentenced to life imprisonment (25 years) for conspiracy to murder in 1981. Two hostages were killed in the incident, but Nejad was never accused of murder. Some hostages testified that Nejad had prevented further killings towards the end of the siege.
Nejad's prison tariff was reduced from 25 to 22 years in 2004 by the Court of Appeal, with the backing of the Lord Chief Justice Lord Woolf. However, he remained in prison under the orders of the then Home Secretary David Blunkett, whose anti-terrorist legislation was recently ruled illegal by the courts.
Now aged 49, he is said to be a reformed character and his group has disbanded, which indicates that he is no longer a threat to the UK - the group had never targetted Britain or its interests. Ahmad Dadgar, one of the hostages, has campaigned for his release, claiming that Nejad has been adequately punished for his actions and calling on the British government to give him political asylum. Dadgar, a leading Iranian diplomat at the time, was shot during the siege.
His view is shared by Robin Horsfall, one of the SAS officers involved in freeing the hostages, who told the Guardian newspaper in February 2005: "I'd have no problem with him staying in this country. We should say, 'Well, you've paid your debt to society,' and we should let him get on with the rest of his life."
Prisoner officers have told the media that Nejad plans to campaign to prevent British Muslims from joining terrorist organisations. A prison officer told one newspaper that "Nejad has grown into a model inmate. He has educated himself, shown remorse and is eager to give something back to the country he once terrorised."
A parole board ruling for Nejad's release will cause problems for the British government's relations with Iran. He cannot be returned to Iran as he will be executed. In September, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini accused the British government of hypocrisy for planning a "premature amnesty" for Nejad, who he claimed was a terrorist. At the same time, he also accused London's Metropolitan Police of supporting terrorism by allowed the British Ahwazi Friendship Society (BAFS) to demonstrate outside the House of Commons ( click here for further details ).
Tehran has already accused the UK of sponsoring Ahwazi separatism in Khuzestan. Iran claims that British and Americans are inflaming ethnic tension in the province. Demonstrations in April, which led to the killing of more than 160 unarmed Ahwazis by Iranian security services, were followed by a string of bomb attacks in Ahwaz City on 12 June. Ahwazi groups point out that the unrest is rooted in the Iranian government's campaign of ethnic cleansing and the impoverishment of Ahwazi Arabs, but Tehran is eager to blame the US and UK. The government is alleging foreign involvement in Khuzestan to back up its claim that the UK and US are preparing for an invasion of Iran and to justified continuing repression of Ahwazi Arabs.
BAFS spokesman Nasser Bani Assad said: "Nejad was a naive young man who was recruited into a terrorist organisation that was manipulated by Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War. At the time, Iraq was attempting to use long-standing grievances among Ahwazi Arabs to bolster its invasion of Iran. But the conflict between Iran and Iraq is over, Saddam Hussein is now a convicted criminal and Fowzi Nejad is a reformed individual.
"We condemn his past actions, but hope that the British people will understand that he does not pose a threat to them. In fact, his desire to campaign against terrorism will be invaluable in the campaign to stop young British Muslims making the same mistake as he did.
"We hope that in the event of any asylum application, the Home Office will ignore the rhetoric from Tehran and understand that if he is deported to Iran he will face torture and will be executed."
permalink
keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
.......................................................................................
A parole board is to rule on the release of the only surviving hostage taker involved in the 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege, Fowzi Badavi Nejad, in January.
An Ahwazi Arab and former member of the Democratic Revolutionary Movement for the Liberation of Arabistan, he was just 23 when he took part in the siege. The other hostage-takers were killed when the SAS stormed the building to release the hostages. Nejad was sentenced to life imprisonment (25 years) for conspiracy to murder in 1981. Two hostages were killed in the incident, but Nejad was never accused of murder. Some hostages testified that Nejad had prevented further killings towards the end of the siege.
Nejad's prison tariff was reduced from 25 to 22 years in 2004 by the Court of Appeal, with the backing of the Lord Chief Justice Lord Woolf. However, he remained in prison under the orders of the then Home Secretary David Blunkett, whose anti-terrorist legislation was recently ruled illegal by the courts.
Now aged 49, he is said to be a reformed character and his group has disbanded, which indicates that he is no longer a threat to the UK - the group had never targetted Britain or its interests. Ahmad Dadgar, one of the hostages, has campaigned for his release, claiming that Nejad has been adequately punished for his actions and calling on the British government to give him political asylum. Dadgar, a leading Iranian diplomat at the time, was shot during the siege.
His view is shared by Robin Horsfall, one of the SAS officers involved in freeing the hostages, who told the Guardian newspaper in February 2005: "I'd have no problem with him staying in this country. We should say, 'Well, you've paid your debt to society,' and we should let him get on with the rest of his life."
Prisoner officers have told the media that Nejad plans to campaign to prevent British Muslims from joining terrorist organisations. A prison officer told one newspaper that "Nejad has grown into a model inmate. He has educated himself, shown remorse and is eager to give something back to the country he once terrorised."
A parole board ruling for Nejad's release will cause problems for the British government's relations with Iran. He cannot be returned to Iran as he will be executed. In September, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini accused the British government of hypocrisy for planning a "premature amnesty" for Nejad, who he claimed was a terrorist. At the same time, he also accused London's Metropolitan Police of supporting terrorism by allowed the British Ahwazi Friendship Society (BAFS) to demonstrate outside the House of Commons ( click here for further details ).
Tehran has already accused the UK of sponsoring Ahwazi separatism in Khuzestan. Iran claims that British and Americans are inflaming ethnic tension in the province. Demonstrations in April, which led to the killing of more than 160 unarmed Ahwazis by Iranian security services, were followed by a string of bomb attacks in Ahwaz City on 12 June. Ahwazi groups point out that the unrest is rooted in the Iranian government's campaign of ethnic cleansing and the impoverishment of Ahwazi Arabs, but Tehran is eager to blame the US and UK. The government is alleging foreign involvement in Khuzestan to back up its claim that the UK and US are preparing for an invasion of Iran and to justified continuing repression of Ahwazi Arabs.
BAFS spokesman Nasser Bani Assad said: "Nejad was a naive young man who was recruited into a terrorist organisation that was manipulated by Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War. At the time, Iraq was attempting to use long-standing grievances among Ahwazi Arabs to bolster its invasion of Iran. But the conflict between Iran and Iraq is over, Saddam Hussein is now a convicted criminal and Fowzi Nejad is a reformed individual.
"We condemn his past actions, but hope that the British people will understand that he does not pose a threat to them. In fact, his desire to campaign against terrorism will be invaluable in the campaign to stop young British Muslims making the same mistake as he did.
"We hope that in the event of any asylum application, the Home Office will ignore the rhetoric from Tehran and understand that if he is deported to Iran he will face torture and will be executed."
Labels: UK
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keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
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02 November, 2006
Ahwazis join demonstration against Khatami in London
Ahwazis were among the hundreds demonstrating outside Chatham House in London where former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami was lecturing on Iran domestic and foreign policies.
Chatham House is one of the world's leading think tanks for the analysis of international issues. At the meeting, Khatami discussed the use of torture and the recent British debate about the Muslim veil.
Mohammed Khatami presided over an administration that executed hundreds of its opponents, oppressed women and ethnic and religious minorities and crushed student and trade union activism.
Yet, the British establishment is praising this human rights abuser as a "reformist" and awarding him with an honorary doctorate at one of the UK's leading universities. Khatami is neither a reformer nor a democrat, but a murderous tyrant. Numbering five million people, Iran's Ahwazis are just one of many groups that faced violent persecution under Khatami and continue to face state terrorism under his successor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Khatami's stated plan, revealed in letters leaked to Al-Jazeera TV last year, was to reduce the Arab population from 70 per cent of the total population of Khuzestan - known to its Ahwazi Arab inhabitants as Al-Ahwaz or Arabistan - to 30 per cent by forcing Ahwazi Arabs out of their homes and enticing people from outside the province with jobs and interest-free loans denied to the indigenous population. Under Khatami, Ahwazi Arabs faced an official policy of discrimination and repression that has led to African levels of poverty - yet their homeland is one of the world's most oil-rich areas and the backbone of the Iranian economy!
Last year while Khatami was still in power, UN Special Rapporteur Miloon Kothari visited the areas devastated by Khatami's violent campaign which made hundreds of thousands of Ahwazi Arabs homeless in their own land. This is what he had to say: "[I]n Khuzestan [...] large development projects, like petrochemical plants, are being built leading to the displacement of entire villages - with thousands of people not consulted on the projects, informed of the impending displacement, nor offered adequate resettlement and compensation [...] the compensation being offered to the Arab villagers who were being displaced is sometimes one fortieth of the market value - and there is nothing they can do about it. It's a fait accompli. And all of these phenomena are continuing. It's something that is happening almost every day."
In April 2005, Ahwazi Arabs staged an unarmed uprising against Khatami's ethnic cleansing programme. The 'reformist' president moved swiftly to crush the intifada, with 25,000 Ahwazis arrested and hundreds more executed, killed unlawfully or 'disappeared'. Entire families have been imprisoned, including children as young as two and four years old.
Pictures of Ahwazis in the anti-Khatami demonstration outside Chatham House:
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Ahwazis were among the hundreds demonstrating outside Chatham House in London where former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami was lecturing on Iran domestic and foreign policies.
Chatham House is one of the world's leading think tanks for the analysis of international issues. At the meeting, Khatami discussed the use of torture and the recent British debate about the Muslim veil.
Mohammed Khatami presided over an administration that executed hundreds of its opponents, oppressed women and ethnic and religious minorities and crushed student and trade union activism.
Yet, the British establishment is praising this human rights abuser as a "reformist" and awarding him with an honorary doctorate at one of the UK's leading universities. Khatami is neither a reformer nor a democrat, but a murderous tyrant. Numbering five million people, Iran's Ahwazis are just one of many groups that faced violent persecution under Khatami and continue to face state terrorism under his successor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Khatami's stated plan, revealed in letters leaked to Al-Jazeera TV last year, was to reduce the Arab population from 70 per cent of the total population of Khuzestan - known to its Ahwazi Arab inhabitants as Al-Ahwaz or Arabistan - to 30 per cent by forcing Ahwazi Arabs out of their homes and enticing people from outside the province with jobs and interest-free loans denied to the indigenous population. Under Khatami, Ahwazi Arabs faced an official policy of discrimination and repression that has led to African levels of poverty - yet their homeland is one of the world's most oil-rich areas and the backbone of the Iranian economy!
Last year while Khatami was still in power, UN Special Rapporteur Miloon Kothari visited the areas devastated by Khatami's violent campaign which made hundreds of thousands of Ahwazi Arabs homeless in their own land. This is what he had to say: "[I]n Khuzestan [...] large development projects, like petrochemical plants, are being built leading to the displacement of entire villages - with thousands of people not consulted on the projects, informed of the impending displacement, nor offered adequate resettlement and compensation [...] the compensation being offered to the Arab villagers who were being displaced is sometimes one fortieth of the market value - and there is nothing they can do about it. It's a fait accompli. And all of these phenomena are continuing. It's something that is happening almost every day."
In April 2005, Ahwazi Arabs staged an unarmed uprising against Khatami's ethnic cleansing programme. The 'reformist' president moved swiftly to crush the intifada, with 25,000 Ahwazis arrested and hundreds more executed, killed unlawfully or 'disappeared'. Entire families have been imprisoned, including children as young as two and four years old.
Pictures of Ahwazis in the anti-Khatami demonstration outside Chatham House:
Labels: activism , UK
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31 October, 2006
Ahwazi rally for Eid ul-Fitr
London's Ahwaz Arab community celebrated Eid ul-Fitr on Saturday, with food, traditional music and speeches on the Ahwazi movement.
The Eid celebration was organised by the Ahwaz Community Association (ACA) and was attended by people of all faiths - an indication of the community's inclusive and tolerant nature.
ACA committee members spoke of the organisation's achievements over the past year, which has seen a greater emphasis on Ahwazi women.
Up to five million Ahwazi Arabs live in and around Al-Ahwaz, which was renamed Khuzestan after it was overrun by troops belonging to the Iranian dictator Reza Pahlavi in 1925 and its Arab ruler deposed. Since then, Ahwazi Arabs have faced racial discrimination and rising levels of poverty despite their homeland's position as one of the world's most oil-rich regions.
Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, has become a day when Ahwazi Arabs demonstrate their opposition to the Iranian regime. This year Ahwazi Arab youths defied the Iranian security forces and used Eid to call for Arab minority rights in protests across Ahwaz. Peaceful demonstrations were reportedly larger than last year's Eid demonstrations, when two Ahwazi Arab youths died when 3,000 Arabs attempted to march peacefully to the centre of Ahwaz City (
click here for further details
). Youths gathered in the Hay Al-Thurah (Dairah) district of Ahwaz City after Eid prayers, where the Ahwazi Intifada began in April 2005. The demonstrators chanted anti-regime slogans and called for the release of political prisoners and an end to state violence. Some carried Ahwazi flags or painted their hands with the colours of the Ahwazi flag (
click here for further details
).
The UK has a 3,000 strong Ahwazi Arab population, which is the largest expatriate community outside the Middle East. Many Ahwazi Arabs have come to the UK seeking political asylum having faced violent persecution under the Iranian regime. The ACA is the main contact point for the community, providing social activities and support.
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keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
.......................................................................................
London's Ahwaz Arab community celebrated Eid ul-Fitr on Saturday, with food, traditional music and speeches on the Ahwazi movement.
The Eid celebration was organised by the Ahwaz Community Association (ACA) and was attended by people of all faiths - an indication of the community's inclusive and tolerant nature.
ACA committee members spoke of the organisation's achievements over the past year, which has seen a greater emphasis on Ahwazi women.
Up to five million Ahwazi Arabs live in and around Al-Ahwaz, which was renamed Khuzestan after it was overrun by troops belonging to the Iranian dictator Reza Pahlavi in 1925 and its Arab ruler deposed. Since then, Ahwazi Arabs have faced racial discrimination and rising levels of poverty despite their homeland's position as one of the world's most oil-rich regions.
Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, has become a day when Ahwazi Arabs demonstrate their opposition to the Iranian regime. This year Ahwazi Arab youths defied the Iranian security forces and used Eid to call for Arab minority rights in protests across Ahwaz. Peaceful demonstrations were reportedly larger than last year's Eid demonstrations, when two Ahwazi Arab youths died when 3,000 Arabs attempted to march peacefully to the centre of Ahwaz City (
click here for further details
). Youths gathered in the Hay Al-Thurah (Dairah) district of Ahwaz City after Eid prayers, where the Ahwazi Intifada began in April 2005. The demonstrators chanted anti-regime slogans and called for the release of political prisoners and an end to state violence. Some carried Ahwazi flags or painted their hands with the colours of the Ahwazi flag (
click here for further details
).
The UK has a 3,000 strong Ahwazi Arab population, which is the largest expatriate community outside the Middle East. Many Ahwazi Arabs have come to the UK seeking political asylum having faced violent persecution under the Iranian regime. The ACA is the main contact point for the community, providing social activities and support.
Labels: activism , UK
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keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
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Ahwazis support protest against Khatami's London visit
Ahwazi organisations have given their full support to a demonstration against Khatami's visit to London on Wednesday 1 November.
The demonstration, which will be held outside Chatham House where Khatami is due to speak, is being organised by a number of Iranian left-wing and human rights organisations.
The protestors will call for Khatami's arrest for crimes against humanity, particularly in relation to his administration's murderous treatment of student activists, women, minorities, trade unionists and homosexuals.
Ahwazi groups hope to bring attention to the treatment of ethnic minorities in Iran, including the ethnic cleansing they suffered under Khatami's orders.
Click here to download a leaflet protesting against Khatami's visit, published by the British Ahwazi Friendship Society
Protest details:
Wednesday 1 November 2006, 4:30 â 6:30pm
Chatham House
10 St James's Square
London SW1Y 4LE
Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus /Green Park
Speakers:
- Sofie Buckl, National Executive of the National Union of Students
-Azar Majedi, Director of the Organisation for Women's Liberation
-Maryam Namazie, 2005 Secularist of the Year, Director of the Worker-communist Party of Iran's International Relations Committee
- Keyvan Javid, Worker-communist Party of Iran
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keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
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Ahwazi organisations have given their full support to a demonstration against Khatami's visit to London on Wednesday 1 November.
The demonstration, which will be held outside Chatham House where Khatami is due to speak, is being organised by a number of Iranian left-wing and human rights organisations.
The protestors will call for Khatami's arrest for crimes against humanity, particularly in relation to his administration's murderous treatment of student activists, women, minorities, trade unionists and homosexuals.
Ahwazi groups hope to bring attention to the treatment of ethnic minorities in Iran, including the ethnic cleansing they suffered under Khatami's orders.
Click here to download a leaflet protesting against Khatami's visit, published by the British Ahwazi Friendship Society
Protest details:
Wednesday 1 November 2006, 4:30 â 6:30pm
Chatham House
10 St James's Square
London SW1Y 4LE
Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus /Green Park
Speakers:
- Sofie Buckl, National Executive of the National Union of Students
-Azar Majedi, Director of the Organisation for Women's Liberation
-Maryam Namazie, 2005 Secularist of the Year, Director of the Worker-communist Party of Iran's International Relations Committee
- Keyvan Javid, Worker-communist Party of Iran
Labels: activism , UK
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keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
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Anger over Khatami's honorary degree
Ahwazi activists have joined the growing chorus of anger over a decision by Scotland's elite St Andrews University to award former Iranian president Muhammed Khatami an honorary doctorate.
Khatami will today be handed the doctorate by the university, whose chancellor is Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell. Khatami will also open the university's Institute for Iranian Studies, which is supported by regime officials. While the university has lauded Khatami as a 'reformer', opposition activists have testified to the state terrorism faced by students, ethnic and religious minorities, trade unionists, homosexuals and women under his presidency.
The National Union of Students (NUS) has demanded that the invitation to Khatami should be withdrawn unless Ahmad Batebi, a student jailed in 1999 during a pro-democracy protest, is freed. However, the university's student association which is not a member of the NUS has voiced its support for the human rights abuser. It claims Khatami has helped reconcile Islam with Christianity and Judaism - a claim that is belied by the fact that Khatami's administration waged a war of terror against minorities in Iran.
Khatami also ordered the ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands of Ahwazi Arabs in a programme of "demographic restructuring". Since an Ahwazi Arab uprising against Khatami's government in April 2005, 25,000 Ahwazi Arabs have been arrested and hundreds more have been executed, unlawfully killed or disappeared.
Nasser Bani Assad, spokesman for the British Ahwazi Friendship Society, said: "Despite the facts, St Andrews University and the university's Students Association continue to rally behind the former president, playing down his crimes against humanity and repeating the regime's propaganda verbatim. They appear to approve of Khatami's role as the smiling diplomatic facade of a brutal government.
"The Iranian opposition may be ideologically divided, but it is united in its condemnation and revulsion of the decision by St Andrews University to reward human rights abuse.
"This appeasement of a regime guilty of terrorist acts against its own civilians as well as foreign country is approved by the leader of the Liberal Democrats. If he ever lived in Iran, I wonder how long the authorities would allow him to preach liberal democracy before sending him to the torture chambers in Tehran's Evin Prison, which is now home to many liberal democrats - including Ahwazi UN-registered refugees recently kidnapped from Syria and sent to Iran, despite protests from the UNHCR.
"It is sickening that members of the British political establishment, British academia and even some Scottish students are shaking hands with a man who has thwarted democracy and crushed human rights in Iran."
Click here to download a letter sent from the presidential office during Khatami's administration on the procedure to change the ethnic composition of Khuzestan (Al-Ahwaz) and eradicate Arab language and culture in the province.
Click here for the NUS's statement opposing Khatami's visit to the UK.
Click here for BAFS's leaflet protesting against Khatami's visit to the UK.
Sign the petition condemning Khatami's honorary degree
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keywords: ahvaz ahwaz ahwazi arabistan khuzestan khuzistan khuzestani arab arabistan iran iranian human rights security oil news ahmadinejad ethnic cleansing
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Ahwazi activists have joined the growing chorus of anger over a decision by Scotland's elite St Andrews University to award former Iranian president Muhammed Khatami an honorary doctorate.
Khatami will today be handed the doctorate by the university, whose chancellor is Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell. Khatami will also open the university's Institute for Iranian Studies, which is supported by regime officials. While the university has lauded Khatami as a 'reformer', opposition activists have testified to the state terrorism faced by students, ethnic and religious minorities, trade unionists, homosexuals and women under his presidency.
The National Union of Students (NUS) has demanded that the invitation to Khatami should be withdrawn unless Ahmad Batebi, a student jailed in 1999 during a pro-democracy protest, is freed. However, the university's student association which is not a member of the NUS has voiced its support for the human rights abuser. It claims Khatami has helped reconcile Islam with Christianity and Judaism - a claim that is belied by the fact that Khatami's administration waged a war of terror against minorities in Iran.
Khatami also ordered the ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands of Ahwazi Arabs in a programme of "demographic restructuring". Since an Ahwazi Arab uprising against Khatami's government in April 2005, 25,000 Ahwazi Arabs have been arrested and hundreds more have been executed, unlawfully killed or disappeared.
Nasser Bani Assad, spokesman for the British Ahwazi Friendship Society, said: "Despite the facts, St Andrews University and the university's Students Association continue to rally behind the former president, playing down his crimes against humanity and repeating the regime's propaganda verbatim. They appear to approve of Khatami's role as the smiling diplomatic facade of a brutal government.
"The Iranian opposition may be ideologically divided, but it is united in its condemnation and revulsion of the decision by St Andrews University to reward human rights abuse.
"This appeasement of a regime guilty of terrorist acts against its own civilians as well as foreign country is approved by the leader of the Liberal Democrats. If he ever lived in Iran, I wonder how long the authorities would allow him to preach liberal democracy before sending him to the torture chambers in Tehran's Evin Prison, which is now home to many liberal democrats - including Ahwazi UN-registered refugees recently kidnapped from Syria and sent to Iran, despite protests from the UNHCR.
"It is sickening that members of the British political establishment, British academia and even some Scottish students are shaking hands with a man who has thwarted democracy and crushed human rights in Iran."
Click here to download a letter sent from the presidential office during Khatami's administration on the procedure to change the ethnic composition of Khuzestan (Al-Ahwaz) and eradicate Arab language and culture in the province.
Click here for the NUS's statement opposing Khatami's visit to the UK.
Click here for BAFS's leaflet protesting against Khatami's visit to the UK.
Sign the petition condemning Khatami's honorary degree
Labels: activism , UK
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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