European Ahwazi Human Rights Organisation

President of the Friends of Free Iran Intergroup and MEP, Struan Stevenson, Urges the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to Address Ahwazis Oppression by Iran

Below are excerpts from his letter to Baroness Ashton:

"The Arab people living in this region (8-10 million) were forcibly incorporated into Iran in 1925 and are now being subjected to ethnic, religious, economic and cultural oppression by the government in Tehran. I have been informed that all opposition groups within and outside of Al-Ahwaz, and very often Iranian human rights organisations, turn a blind eye to these serious human rights violations against Arabs.


These abuses, which include unfair trials, torture, forced confessions and executions; as well as restrictions on Arabic language, culture and political parties, have been documented by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UN human rights officials and the UK Foreign Office.


This oppression also includes ethnic cleansing and trans-migration programmes to reduce the proportion of Arabs in the South-West of Iran; and under-spending on jobs, housing, education and health-care which has impoverished the Arab peoples despite the region’s vast oil wealth. I therefore urgently request that you address this issue in your capacity as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy."