The Ahwazi Assembly strongly condemns the arbitrary arrests carried out by Iranian security forces in Ahwaz region in recent weeks.
These crackdowns have targeted poets, intellectuals, and social activists. No doubt such brutal and oppressive measures represent a blatant violation of human rights and freedom of expression, aiming to silence our people and deny them their legitimate right to express their identity and preserve their culture. Among those arrested are poet Mustafa Helichi, Reza Hezbawi, cultural activist Hashem Mousawi, and civil activist female Ms.Ahlam Bandar. The arrests also included prominent Ahwazi writer Saeed Ismail and journalist and human rights activist Milad Bahri from the city of Falahiya. These individuals were only engaged in cultural and social activities, expressing the legitimate aspirations of the Ahwazi people for freedom and dignity. Although the authorities later released cultural activist Saeed Ismail and activist Ahlam Bandar, dozens of others remain in detention following these recent arrests.
The Ahwazi Assembly asserts that such repressive measures will not deter our people from pursuing their struggle to achieve their rights. Thus, we urge the international community, including human rights organisations and independents entities such as the Committee to Protect Journalists, to take decisive action in pressuring the Iranian regime to halt arbitrary arrests and demand the immediate release of all Ahwazi Arab detained journalists and activists. The Ahwazi Assembly reaffirms its commitment to defending the rights of Ahwazi people through all peaceful and legal means. We urge our people in Arabistan (Ahwaz) to confront and resist these oppressive and racist policies through peaceful means.
والدفاع عن قضية الشعب العربي الأحوازي العادلة