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RIGHTS-IRAN: Intolerance Marks Sunni Student's Death Sentence
By Kimia Sanati
Yaghub Mehrnahad, the Sunni Baluchi student leader on death row
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TEHRAN, Feb 19 (IPS) - The death sentence passed in Iran’s southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province, on civil rights activist and journalist Yaghub Mehrnahad, 28, has highlighted repression on Iran’s ethnic and religious minorities.
Mehrnahad, a Sunni Baluchi, was a student of Baluchistan state university at the time of his arrest. He was detained by security agents on Apr. 26, 2007 after attending the annual gathering of a youth association of which he had been the founder and head for five years.
‘Questioning Youth, Accountable Authorities,’ was the theme of the gathering of the organisation, held in Zahedan, capital of the province that borders Pakistan. It was reportedly attended by a number of local officials, including the governor.
The association that Mehrnahad founded in 2002 also helped organise various cultural events such as music concerts and painting and computer classes for youth. Mehrnahad was also the representative of a reformist newspaper called ‘Mardomsalari’ (Democracy) in the province.
"Mehrnahad was little known outside Baluchistan before he was arrested. He did criticise the government for the neglect of Sistan and Baluchistan province and collaborated with the Islamic Human Rights Commission, a national non-government organisation (NGO)," a student activist in Tehran, who asked not to be quoted by name, told IPS.
"The death sentence is very unusual for something like that. Nobody knows what could have led to such a heavy sentence because he is not known to have advocated any violence. But there are suspicions that the death sentence is intended to cover up evidence of physical torture that, according to his family, he has been subjected to," she said.
Five others, including Mehrnahad’s 16-year-old brother who had been arrested with him, were released after being held for up to three months. Mehrnahad himself was held in a prison run by security bodies for five months. He was later transferred to the central state prison in Zahedan where his family was able to meet him for the first time since his arrest.
Mehrnahad was tried by a court in Zahedan on Dec. 25 and was again transferred to the security prison. A month and a half later his family and lawyer, who had not been allowed to attend the trial, were informed of the death sentence.
Neither the sentence nor the charges that led to Mehrnahad’s death sentence have been officially announced. At the time of his arrest newspapers reported the apprehension of an activist in Baluchistan for allegedly assisting the militant Baluchi group, Jundullah.
In the absence of official reports and a free press most information about Mehrnahad and the death sentence passed on him come from unofficial sources such as his own blog and the news portal of the students of Amir Kabir University of Technology (AUT), which provides extensive coverage of human rights related news.
The contents of Mehrnahad’s blog indicate that he had been campaigning for establishment of a human rights committee in Baluchistan and for the recognition of the Baluchi language. Mehrnahad had also registered as a candidate to run in city council elections in 2003, but was disqualified by authorities with no reason assigned.
As reported by the student news portal, Mehrnahad’s family claimed that signs of torture were visible on his body when it last visited him in prison two months ago. They also said he had lost about15 kg and was not able to maintain his balance.
Baluchis claim discrimination as an ethnic minority as well as for being Sunnis. In spite of recognition, by the Iranian constitution, for Sunnis as a legitimate Islamic sect they do not have equal rights as Shiites. The constitution states that the supreme leader of the country and its president must be Shiites.
The province of Sistan-Baluchistan has seen several bloody encounters between government forces and various armed Baluchi groups, including Jundullah, during the past three years. Foreign journalists and western nationals are banned from travelling to the province.
Jundullah, that also calls itself the Iranian Popular Resistance Movement, has carried out several terrorist attacks against government officials in the province and has been involved in several hostage takings. The group has killed some of its hostages in the past, sending video recordings to the media.
On Feb.14, 2007 a car bomb by planted Jundullah killed 14 passengers of a Revolutionary Guards staff transportation bus and injured 30 more. A man arrested on the spot was hanged in public a few days later after a televised confession. Several other people, including a 17-year-old boy, were executed in connection with a bombing in May after making similar televised confessions.
Iranian officials allege Jundullah is connected to al-Qaeda or is sponsored by United States and British secret services. But Jundullah has denied these allegations and claims it is fighting for the rights of the Baluchi and Sunni people and for establishing democracy in Iran. The government also alleges that Jundullah is involved in drug trafficking.
According to a report by Amnesty International, from January to August 2007 out of the total 166 executions reported in Iran 50 happened in Baluchistan, many of them carried out in public for charges such as drug trafficking or murder. Iran has the second highest rate of death penalty after China.
According to a statement by the justice department of Sistan-Baluchistan on Jan. 6, released by Iranian Students News Agency, five men were sentenced to amputation of their right arms and left legs on the charges of taking up arms against the Islamic state, hostage taking and armed robbery and the sentences were carried out.
In a statement released on Feb. 11, Jundullah denied any connection with Mehrnahad and condemned the death sentence passed on him.
| Education in Mother tongue is forbidden for Minorities in Iran |
 |
Iranian Minorities’ Human Right Organisation (IMHRO)
Ref.IMHRO.05 - 2008-02-18
In the world which respect for indigenous people and ethnic minorities daily increasing, in Iran education in mother tongue or first language is still forbidden and pressure on cultural activist are increased in recent years.
Yasser 6 year’s old, Kurdish minority talking with IMHRO through his dad said he can not understand his teacher at all.” In home we talk Kurdish in school we have to talk Farsi”
In Iran minorities should only thought in Farsi or Persian language. As a result many children soon leave the school and illiteracy among the minorities is very high. Various study proved that mother tongue is one of the key factors in speed of learning in children.[i]
Mansur, 10 years old a Baluchi from Zahedan told IMHRO that he recently left the school as he did not have progress for last few years as result of not understanding the teacher’s language, which it was in Farsi.
Effect of banning mother tongue hits whole literature and art and music of minorities in Iran. Many pieces of Arts may never be able to replace because of disconnection and lack of ability to record that particular art.
Various human right activist and organisation related To Iranian minorities, (which in total making more that %50 of Iranian population and no longer a minority but are majority) calling the banning of education in mother tongue in Iran a “Cultural Holocaust”
They claim that “Indeed you do not need to kill the people to stop their culture, not allowing them to practice it much the less is same and it is very damaging”
Yasamin 9 years old in republic of Azerbaijan, originally Turks in north west of Iran, told IMHRO that since she moved with family to republic of Azerbaijan and they study in Turkish language in their school, she feel she got more progress than when she was in Iran and had to talk and thought only in Farsi.
Folklore culture if it is not practiced may die. Definition of language is not only communication, it is also identity.
Rasoul an Ahwazi Arab originally from city of Abadan told IMHRO since he moved to UAE, he have less pressure in understanding the lessons in school. “In Iran I had a headache after each lesson and not understanding them at all”
Today is world mother language and this year named by UN year of language to emphasis of importance of languages. Many cultural activists who demand a right of study in mother tongue persecuted in Iran.
We ask international community to pay attention to this huge pain of silencing of millions of people in Iran and call on Iranian government to release millions of people from monopoly of study only in Farsi or Persian language.
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| Posted on Tuesday, February 19 @ 09:45:35 MST by balochmedia |
|
Balochistan/Iran : UNPO appeals to Halt Baloch Execution
Time is rapidly running out to save the life of Yaqub Mehrnehaad from execution by the Iranian authorities. A committed civil rights activist, Mr Mehrnehaad was arrested in Spring 2007 and convicted in a secret trial. UNPO appeals that his life be saved and Iran’s human rights record not blackened by another senseless execution.
Urgent Appeal to Halt Baloch Execution
2008-02-14
Time is rapidly running out to save the life of Yaqub Mehrnehaad from execution by the Iranian authorities. A committed civil rights activist, Mr Mehrnehaad was arrested in Spring 2007 and convicted in a secret trial. UNPO appeals that his life be saved and Iran's human rights record not blackened by another senseless execution.
The Hague, 14 February 2008 – On 26th of April 2007 Mr. Yaqub Mehrnehaad, including his 16 years old brother, was arrested immediately following his attendance at an open discussion meeting by the Iranian secret police in the city of Dozaap (Zahedan). Mr. Yaqub Mehrnehaad is a well known young Baloch civil rights activist amongst Iranian civil society, and has been actively delivering speeches to defend the human and civil rights of Iranian people in many universities and provincial capitals in Iran.
Mr. Mehrnehaad is believed to have been arrested over dubious accusations of being an enemy to Islam and cooperating with western powers who work to destabilize the Iranian Islamic regime. Last week reports indicated Mr. Mehrnehaad has been sentenced to death following a secret trial conducted by Iranian authorities and now faces imminent execution.
This incident is yet another in a long string of repressive actions by the Iranian regime on the Baloch population. UNPO condemns this blatant disrespect of both human and political rights and international legal standards. Furthermore UNPO remains vehemently opposed to the use of capital punishment.
UNPO has consequently appealed to Ms Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Professor Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, Ms Angelika Beer, Chairwoman of European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Iran, Human Rights Watch, H.E. Mr Ali-Asghar Haji, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr Manouchehr Mottaki. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Mr Bozorgmehr Ziaran, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Kingdom of The Netherlands, Mr Romano Maria La Russa, Vice-Chairman European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Iran, H.E. Mr R. J. van Vollenhoven, Ambassador of The Kingdom of The Netherlands to Iran, and Ms. Yanine Poc, Head of Asia Desk Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to:
- Urge Iran to immediately halt its ongoing persecution of minority communities, including the Baloch community, and to afford all its citizens their full catalogue of political and human rights;
- Remind Iran that serious charges must be examined by open and transparent courts, in full accord with internationally recognized standards of justice;
- Urge Iran to end immediately its use of executions as a weapon of fear and oppression; and
- Continue your efforts to visit Iran in order to evaluate and report on the persecution of the Baloch community by Iranian authorities.
--
Balach Baloch
Balochistan People's Party
contact@BalochPeople.org
http://www.BalochPeople.org/
http://www.BalochPeople.com/
P.O.Box 13022
103 01 Stockholm Sweden
Urgent appeal to the International Communities and Human Right Immediate Action to save a Young Baloch Civil Right ActivistOrganisations for
Dear Sir / Madam,
Mr Yaqub Mehrnehad an open spoken brave young Baloch, civil right activist, father of 3 children, founder and chairman of a NGO called “Voice of Justice Youth Association” has been sentenced to death by Iranian Revolutionary Court in Balochistan few days ago and is under imminent threat of being executed at any time.
“Voice of Justice Youth Association” is a formally recognised and registered under the Islamic Regime’s regulations in Balochistan, seeking social, civil and cultural rights for people through peaceful means of activities which included arranging annual open discussion meetings with Balochistan provincial authorities bringing the discrepancies and discriminations to their attention.
On 26th of April 2007, Mr Mehrnehaad including his 16 years old brother alongside the Central Committee members of the above organisation were arrested straight after the end of an open discussion meeting by the Iranian secret agencies in the city of Dozaap (Zahedan) the provincial capital of Balochistan.
As usual and common practice of the Iranian regime, all were alleged of being perpetuators and the enemy of Islam, Co-operators of the western powers who work to destabilize Iranian Islamic regime.
Nobody were aware of their whereabouts for months until the release of all but keeping Mr Mehrnehaad in custody in Tehran under the harshest mental and physical tortures.
Recently thesecret agencies transferred him back to Balochistan and according to his close relatives, last week in a secret trail he has been sentenced to death.
Although we have already brought to your attention but it is necessary to you that last month Iranian government amputated right hand and left feet of five young Baloch men in Baluchistan, where daily hangings and executions of young Balochs under bogus charges is operational and the authorities’ common practice. Where according to the Iranian authorities, about 1000 young Baloch men have been sentenced to death and are in their death row queues.
Mr Yaqub Mehrnehaad is a well known young Baloch civil right activist figure amongst Iranian civil right activists, and have been delivering speeches to defend human and civil rights of Iranian people in many universities and provincial capitals of other Iranian nationalities.
We once again with stress and urgency kindly appeal to you to be very prompt to take appropriate steps for necessary actions in order to spare this young Baloch civil right activist from imminent execution in the hands of the Iranian regime.
We appeal to International Communities Human Right Organisations and Civil Rights activists in the world to call upon the Iranian government and ask them to stop death penalty and immediately release Mr Yaqub Mehrnehaad.
We appeal for the release of all imprisoned social, cultural and political activists and stop practising inhuman penalty of imputation and stoning to death penalty of Baloch and other people in Iran.
Nasser Boladai, Spokesperson for Balochistan Peoples Party
CC:
- Amnesty International
- Human Rights Watch
- UNPO
- European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights
- European Parliament Iran delegation
- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Professor of Law NYU, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
- Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Head of Asia Desk
- President of the UN Human Rights Council
Balochistan People’s Party, P.O.Box 13022, 103 01 Stockholm, Sweden
Tel: +46 739343724, Fax: +46 8 43 75 97 37 www.ostomaan.org
12 February 2008
TO:
Organization of Islamic Conference
UN Human Rights Commission
EU Human Rights Commission
Amnesty International
Human Rights Watch
Appeal for your urgent humanitarian help to save Baloch activist Mr Mehrnahad
Dears,
We sadly learnt that M Yahkob Mehrnahad a Baloch activist has been sentenced to death by a court in Zahidan, Iran. He is a civic activist and the General Secretary of Youth Association of Justice Voice in Zahidan. He was arrested 10 months ago when leaving a meeting along with his five activist colleagues in Zahidan. He ever since has been denied basic rights and defence. It is reported by his immediate relatives that he has been tortured and has become ill as a result.
He is father of 3 children.
He in his civic active life always maintained his activities open and within the laws of land. He has had no open or clandestine links or associations with any of Baloch political parties. Therefore no allegation for subversive or even illegal activity from Mehrnahd can be proven beyond any doubts unless fabricated confessions were extracted under duress and torture.
Upon sentencing him, the Court allowed 10 days for Supreme Court review, but for known reasons and beyond comprehension it is reduced to 7 days, perhaps to speed up the cruel and inhumane sentence of death.
Balochistan Raji Zrombeh appeals to you to take necessary humanitarian actions urgently to stop the execution of Baloch activist Mr Y Mehrnahad. The time is running fast and we are waiting for your immediate humanitarian action to make the review of the death sentence happen and save his life.
Balochistan Raji Zrombeh
(Balochistan National Movement)
12Feb 2008
PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 13/038/2008
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Iran’s Baluchi minority live mainly in the south-east of the country, and are believed to make up between one and three percent of the total population of around 70 million. Mainly Sunni Muslims, they have for many years complained of discrimination by the authorities.
Jondallah has carried out a number of armed attacks on Iranian officials and has sometimes taken hostages and killed them. It reportedly seeks to defend the rights of the Baluchi people, though government officials have claimed that it is involved in drug smuggling and terrorist activities and has ties to foreign governments.
Attacks by Jondallah have been followed by widespread arrests of members of the Baluchi minority. According to a 15 March 2007 BBC report, Sistan-Baluchistan television said that at least two people had been hanged in connection with a 14 February 2007 attack on a bus carrying Revolutionary Guards. At least 17 other people are reported to have been either sentenced to death or executed in connection with a March 2006 attack in Tasuki, in which up to 22 people were reportedly killed. In an interview with the Iranian newspaper ‘Ayyaran on 17 March 2007, parliamentarian Hossein Ali Shahryari said prisons in Sistan-Baluchistan province held more than 700 people under sentence of death. In 2007, at least 312 people were executed in Iran, and the true figure may be considerably higher. There was a marked rise in the number of Baluchis executed.
For further information please see: Iran: Human Rights Abuses against the Baluchi Minority, MDE 13/104/2007, September 2007: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/104/2007.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, English, French, Arabic or your own language:
- calling on the authorities not to carry out the death sentence against Ya’qub Mehrnehad;
- asking for details of the charges against Ya’qub Mehrnehad and his trial;
- expressing concern at reports that Ya’qub Mehrnehad has been tortured, and has lost 15kg and cannot keep his balance as a result, and reminding the authorities of their responsibility to ensure that he has access to adequate medical treatment;
- stating that Amnesty International recognizes the right and responsibility of governments to bring to justice those suspected of criminal offences, but opposes the death penalty as the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.
APPEALS TO:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader, Islamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info@leader.ir
Salutation: Your Excellency
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh / Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line write: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Intelligence
Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie
Ministry of Intelligence, Second Negarestan Street, Pasdaran Avenue, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO:
President
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir
Speaker of Parliament
His Excellency Gholamali Haddad Adel
Majles-e Shoura-ye Eslami, Baharestan Square, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: +98 21 3355 6408
Email: hadadadel@majlis.ir (Ask for your message to be passed to the Article 90 Commission)
and to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 25 March 2008.
(ee attached file: 51303808.rtf)(See attached file: 51303808.txt
Yaghub Mehrnahad, a Baluchi activist, in secret trial sentenced to death
Urgent action needed for stopping the death sentence of 28 year old Yaghoub Mehrnehad, a father of 3
In respect of
*............................
Ms. Christa PRETS
Vice-Chairwoman
cprets@europarl. eu.int
* United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Ms. Louise Arbour
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights UNOG-OHCHR
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 917 9022/ Fax: +41 22 917 9018
E-Mail: tb-petitions@ ohchr.org (for APPEALS only)
* Professor of Law NYU, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
Prof. Philip Alston
Email: lventre@ohchr. org
Fax: +41 22 917 9006
* Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Head of Asia Desk
Ms. Yanine Poc
ypoc@ohchr.org
*President of the UN Human Rights Council
Luis Alfonso de Alba
Fax: +41 22 917 0303
* Human Rights Watch
325 W. Huron, Suite 304
Chicago, IL 60610
Tel.: 312-573-2450
Fax: 312-573-2454
E-mail: chicago@hrw. org
Website
* Human Rights Watch
350 Fifth Avenue, 34th floor
New York, NY 10118-3299 USA
Tel: 1-(212) 290-4700, Fax: 1-(212) 736-1300
hrwnyc@hrw.org
*Human Rights Watch
1630 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 500
Washington, DC 20009 USA
Tel:1-(202) 612-4321, Fax:1-(202) 612-4333
hrwdc@hrw.org
* Human Rights Watch
11500 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 441
Los Angeles, CA 90064 USA
Tel:1-(310) 477-5540, Fax: (310) 477-4622
E-mail: hrwlasb@hrw. org
*Human Rights Watch
100 Bush Street, Suite 1812
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel: 415.362.3250, Fax: 415.362.3255
E-mail: hrwsf@hrw.org
* Human Rights Watch
2nd Floor, 2-12 Pentonville Road
London N1 9HF, UK
Tel: 44 20 7713 1995, Fax: 44 20 7713 1800
E-mail: hrwuk@hrw.org
* Human Rights Watch
Avenue des Gaulois, 7
1040 Brussels
Tel: 32 (2) 732-2009
Fax: 32 (2) 732-0471
hrwbe@hrw.org
*Human Rights Watch
9 rue Cornavin
1201 Geneva
Tel: +41 22 738 04 81
Fax: +41 22 738 17 91
E-mail: hrwgva@hrw.org
*Human Rights Watch
Poststraße 4-5
10178 Berlin, Germany
Tel. +49-(0)30-259306- 10
Fax. +49-(0)30-259306- 29
berlin@hrw.org
* Human Rights Watch
55 Eglinton Avenue East
Suite 403
Toronto, Ontario M4P 1G8
Tel: 416.322.8448
Fax: 416.322.3246
E-mail: toronto@hrw. org
Human Rights Watch
55 Eglinton Avenue East
Suite 403
Toronto, Ontario M4P 1G8
Tel: 416.322.8448
Fax: 416.322.3246
E-mail: toronto@hrw. org
Subject : "Save the soul of ...Mr. Yaghoub Mehrnehad, in Zahedan, Balochistan. Iran."
Respected Ladies & Gentlemen,
We have been informed via our recent contacts, through the close relatives and the Attorny of Mr.Yaghub Mehrnehad, that he has been sentenced to death, last week, by the Islamic regime of Iran’s court in Zahidan, Balochistan province.
Mr.Yaghoub Mehrnehad - who is the chairman of the association of "youth’s justice voice,” - was arrested by Intelligence Agencies, on 26.04.2007 at the association`s office in Zahedan, Balouchistan, Iran. The incidence took place during the annual session of plenum for political discussion where some of representative of `steering commitee` were delegating as well.
Mr. Yaghoub Mehrnehad was arrested alongwith his younger brother - only 16 year old - Master Ebrahim Mehrnehad and other members of the above association. Master Ebrahim Mehrnehad and other members were released after 70 days while Mr. Yaghoub Mehrnehad was kept in custody and now, he has been sentenced to death.
Due to intense torcher by "Revolutionary Guards of Iran", as informed by his close relatives, his physical condition under the custody has developed to be in a very bad condition, in the sence
that he almost lost 14-15 kg of his weight.
The Iranian regime is killing his political opponents in Sistan-Balochistan & else-where, on daily basis and is committing their crimes against humanity by stoning women and has, even, hanged a minor - a 17 year old student - named Saeed Qanberzahi.
As informed, the Islamic regime of Iran has yet
killed and still killing hundreds /thousands of young balochs with false allegations : such as participation in drug handling processes and /or participation in armed groups. As informed, also, the
acused persons are being killed without providing them any solicitor as to defend themselv against the false allegations. When it is not possible for the regime to involve the innocent Balochs in such fabricated allegations, it does not hesitate to claim the balochs were politically engaged against the regime.
With reference to the same procedure, we were
witnessed how the Islamic regime of Iran broke the record of barbary, in this 21st century, by amputing the hands and legs of five innocent balochs in Sistan va Balochistan in Iran.
At least we know that Mr.Yaghoub Mehrnehad and the association he represents, has done nothing wrong except only to critisize the Irani regime of denying the human rights to Balochs and their unhuman policies to-wards Baloch civil society.
The association of, "youth’s justice voice" has performed its activities since 2002, as a non-governmental organizations and has achieved the legalization from the Youth Organization. Mr. Youghub Mehrnehad has been performing his activities within the relevant legal frame-work with the particular attention to promote the social and cultural interests. Thus, his arrest, custody and conviction, are even clear voilation to the constitution of the so-called Islamic republic of Iran.
We appeal in the name of humanity, to please take an urgent action - using whatever powers under your kind control - to save the life of Mr. Yaghub Mehrnehd, 28 year old who is placed in death queue in Zahedan Prison, Sistan va Balochistan, Iran.
Thanking you, we are
( The friends of Balochs )
Afghan cum European zone.
Tele : 0702315835
Web.Sites:
http://www.radiobalochi.org/SedayeEdalat/MehrnehadRaFaramoshNakonim071117.html
http://www.radiobalochi.org/BH_Rights/BHR_news.html
http://www.radiobalochi.org/BH_Rights/death_sentence_of__Yaghoub_Mehrnehad080209.htmlRadio
Balochi FM
West Balochistan: Baloch Human Rights Flaunted
Appeal for international help to stop executions in Baluchistan
For the attention of:
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, United Nations Commission for Human Rights, UNPO and the European Parliament, Journalists, Think Tanks and international community.
[…]
The Iranian authorities amputated the hands and legs of five individuals as punishment for alleged crimes in the volatile province of Sistan-va-Baluchistan, state media reported. All five men had their right hand and left foot […] severed, the state-owned news agency ISNA said on Sunday [6 January 2008]. The amputations were carried out in the provincial capital Zahedan, south-east Iran, the report said. The five men were identified as A. Rigi, A.B. Rigi, A.R. Roudini, D. Pahlevan, and M.A. Jalali. They had been charged with being “mohareb” (or “waging war on God”) and “corruption on earth” for allegedly robbing people and taking hostages. Iranian authorities routinely execute dissidents on bogus charges such as armed robbery and drug smuggling."
In contravention to all human rights conventions and charters, the Iranian authorities continue to hang, execute and dismember the human rights activists, political workers, dissidents, and innocent young Baluch of Iran. Only during the Christmas period [2007], 30 Baluch men were hanged or shot dead by security forces. After many years of shooting to kill policy in Baluchistan, the Islamic government decided recently to violate all the United Nations conventions and human rights charter by amputating the hands and foot of those Baluch people who have been arrested and then charged with bogus charges.
The Iranian regime is pursuing two devastating policies of starving people of Balochistan from one hand and executing those who protest against oppression and repression on the other hand. The Baluch people are the target of the most inhuman discriminatory policies of the government. Mohammad Reza Sarawani, deputy of Social Affairs of Baluchistan province announced that 76 percent of the Baluch people live under the poverty line, The official news agency of Shana reported on 31 December 07. The official average figure for people who are living under poverty line in Iran is 11 percent.
The United Nations declaration of human rights charter clearly recognises in the Article 2.
"Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty",
The United Nations declaration of human rights compels the members:
"Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom."
The Iranian regime has violated all the 30 articles of the Declaration of Human Rights Charter in Baluchistan and continues to do so until urgent actions are taken by the international community, human rights organisations, governments, political activists and all freedom lovers of the world.
We the political parties and leaders of Baluchistan are seeking your support for stopping these atrocities in Baluchistan before it turns into a huge human catastrophe.
Baluchistan Peoples Front
Balochistan Peoples Party
Baluchistan United Front, Federal Republicans
Baluchistan National movement-Iran
Balochistan Mobarizeen Movement
Source
http://www.unpo.org/article.php?id=7462
Iranian Minorities’ Human Right Organisation (IMHRO)
Ref.IMHRO.04
Urgent action
2008-02-11
Mr. Yaghub Mehrnahad 28 years old, a Baluchi cultural and civil right activist from Baluchistan in south east of Iran, after 9 month arrest, sentenced to death.
His family talking to IMHRO said that after first 5 month arrest they allowed them to visit him in prison and when they visited him, they found out that he has been subjected to torture and he last about 15 kg weight during this 5 month.
“About one month ago they put him on secret trial, after 10 days instead of sentencing him, then again they moved him to Iranian intelligent custody for further investigation and now they sentenced him to death”
Mr. Yaghub Mehranahad who is founder of Anjoman Sedayeh edalat (voice of justice association), which was recognised and registered by Iranian government, in May 2007 arrested along 5 others, all member of voice of justice association. His arrest was usual kidnapping style exercise by Iranian security. The rest of members released but Yaghub Mehrnahad remained in prison.
Voice of justice association was an NGO, organising event such music concerts and educational courses for young Baluchi.
Mr.Yaghub Mehrnahad who was peace full activist and always in favour of non violence movement, in secret trial sentenced to death. The main reason was because he was writing on internet; they charge him with act against national security. His family told IMHRO.
“They reduce time of appeal against sentence from usual 20 days to 6 days, which will end on Sunday 17/02/2008 and therefore now he is in imminent risk of execution. “It is 45 days that we can not visit him in prison, we afraid that may he had been killed him under torture”
According to Radio Baluchi FM from Sweden , his daughter Asieh has born while he was in prison for second month.
Arrest in Iran usually is kidnapping person from street or work place and often family for few month do not know any thing about the missing person.
Background
Baluch minority are at least 5 Million people living in south east of Iran and they suffering from various discrimination. As result of lack of state investment, unemployment rate is high.
Iranian government, in Baluchistan always executed political and human right activist under the charge of drug smuggling. Drug smuggling is the cover which Iranian government used to hide his crime against Baluchi minority. Iranian official media propaganda always portrayed Baluchi people as drug smugglers.
As result of non investment and suppression, some Baluchi established armed group, fighting with government. Case of Mr.Yaghub Mehrnahad clearly showing that Iranian government wanted to push more young Baluchi to extreme.
Baluchi along side other minorities in Iran , can not speak in their mother tongue and are not benefited from social, economic and political right.
As Baluchi people are mainly Sunni, they also suffering from huge discrimination in job opportunity and education. Official ideology of theocracy government of Iran , indicate that non Shia means infidel.
Last month Iranian government amputated right hand and left feet of five men in zahedan, capital of Baluchistan province.
Action
We ask human right organisations and activists in the world to call upon Iranian government and ask them for following:
Stop death sentence of Yaghub Mehrnahad and immediate release of him and other Baluchi activist/Stop practising inhuman penalty of imputation in Baluchistan .
Supreme leader of Iran
Sayyed Ali Khamenei
E-mail via web site
http://www.leader.ir/
Iranian president
Mahmud Ahmadinejad
E-mail via web site
http://www.president.ir/en/
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Mahmud Hashemi Shahroudi
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh / Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran
United Nations High Commissioner Human Rights
Louise Arbour
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Chairwoman of European parliament Human Rights committee
Mrs Hélène FLAUTRE
Bureau d'Hélène Flautre au Parlement européen
8G130, rue Wierz
B-1049, Bruxelles, Belgique
Iranian Minorities’ Human Right Organisation (IMHRO)
Tell: 0044 1302 538 386Dears,
The ongoing violation of basic human rights in Balochistan by the Iranian regime is a serious concern to us and
people of Balochistan. The authoritarian regime of Iran has recently launched a fresh sever onslaught on Baloch
people, on activists for democracy and on human rights of people in Balochistan.
Regime by denying such rights to people, Balochistan is made a vast militarized zone. In 2006 alone thousands of
armed forces assisted by similar numbers of par-military forces were deployed in Balochistan. In addition the
regime has begun to build a vast wall along the borders with Afghanistan & Pakistan. The only objective of this
policy by the regime to erect such a wall is to prevent Baloch people of all sides (Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan) from
having interactions and communications, and from sharing cultural values.
We consider the construction of this wall as making Balochistan a giant prison to Baloch people. It is worth noting
that all these unnecessary and cruel measures are being taken and declared to the world under the bogus pretext
of ‘war on drug trafficking and of course Al-Qaida’.
In late November 2006, the Iranian authorities took many diplomats from the European embassies from Tehran to
Zahidan, the capital of Balochistan to oversee the build up of armed forces of the regime and implementation of its
project to construct the wall. The European representatives also met with the “butcher judge” of the regime the
cleric Nikonam.
The regime hand-picked this savage cleric and sent him from Tehran to Zahidan-Balochistan to suppress and
crash the Baloch movement for democracy and right of self-determination. The cleric butcher since his arrival in
Balochistan has been issuing mass arrest and sentenced many people to long-term prison. A large number of
them are sentenced to death by hanging, and their sentences were carried out in public places and squares in
different cities in Balochistan.
The atrocities of the regime in Balochistan and other parts of Iran are being overshadowed by the nuclear stand off.
In our view the international community is also to be concerned for the grotesque violation of human rights and
crackdown on movement for democracy in Iran. Of course the concern for the nuclear issue with the regime is
paramount to the security and stability of the region since the regime is ideologically fanatic and irresponsible in
character and deed. Meanwhile the regime in the stand off with international community has been taking utmost
advantage to crash in a savage manner with full force and all available cruel means the basic democratic rights of
citizens of Iran, and to deny their legitimate demands and crash their civic protests.
Mass arrest, torture, execution and sudden disappearance of activists for democracy in Iran has been intensified to
an alarming level akin to early revolution era since Ahmadinejad assumed office. The regime has been arresting
political activists under the fabricated accusation of being foreign spy, and sentencing them as traitors without a fair
and proper trial and denying them any access to a defence lawyer. The treachery carries death sentence in Iran.
Baluchistan National Movement – Iran has been fighting against the regimes for inflicting injustices upon people of
Balochistan for the past 30 years. BNM- Iran is a political, democratic and secular organization which strives for the
right of self-determination of Balochistan, human rights and democratic rights of other nations of Iran. Our sphere
of political activity is Balochistan. Balochistan is the largest province in Iran but in contrast to its vastness it is the
poorest and most deprived region in Iran.
In Balochistan, Baloch people are being systematically denied education in their own mother tongue - Balochi,
culture and religious rights and functions. More importantly, the national identity of Baloch people as a nation is
denied outright by the regime. The denial of Baloch identity by regime is in apparent contrast to the Declaration of
Human Rights, UN’s Charter and to the spirit of liberty.
In 2006 where in developed countries of the World the struggle was for more individualistic rights, Baloch people
were confronted with a brutal regime which denied them their natural and national rights of recognition as a nation.
Nevertheless our nation is not without hope. We firmly believe that in coming years the international community
would take a proactive stand and would support our nation’s desire to right of self-determination, recognition of our
nation’s identity, for democracy and human rights in Iran.
Baluchistan National Movement (ZROMBESH) – Iran
January 2007
http://www.zrombesh.org/
UA 38/08 Death sentence/Unfair trial/Torture
IRAN Ya'qub Mehrnehad (m), aged 28, member of Iran’s Baluchi minority
Baluchi cultural and civil rights activist Ya’qub Mehrnehad was sentenced to death in early February, for an unknown offence, after an unfair trial conducted behind closed doors. He has allegedly been tortured. His appeal before the Supreme Court has been scheduled for 17 February, denying him the minimum 20 days normally given in Iran for him to prepare his appeal.
His trial began on 25 December 2007 before a court in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Baluchistan province. This may have been a special court set up in the city in May 2006, and it is unclear if it operates as a branch of the Revolutionary Court it would be governed by the General and Revolutionary Court procedures, but it may be operating outside that framework. Furthermore, in June 2006 it was announced that a “special judicial complex for security affairs” had begun work and that a recommendation had been made to the Judiciary to establish a branch of the Supreme Court in the complex in order to expedite the implementation of sentences and to reduce the time between the commission of crimes and the implementation of sentences. Amnesty International is concerned that Ya’qub Mehrnehad may be in imminent danger of execution.
Ya’qub Mehrnehad is the head of a government-registered NGO, "The Voice of Justice Young People’s Society", which specializes in organising events such as concerts and educational courses for young Baluchi people. He was arrested in early May 2007 along with six other members of the association after they attended a meeting in the Provincial Office of Culture and Islamic Guidance, which the Governor of Zahedan reportedly attended. The six other men were later released. The exact reasons for his arrest are not known although some newspaper reports in July 2007mentionned that a man identified as Ya’qub M. was being detained on suspicion of "aiding Abdolmalek Rigi", the head of a Baluchi armed group, Jondallah, also known as the Iranian Peoples’ Resistance Movement.
Five months after his arrest, Ya’qub Mehrnehad was allowed visits from his lawyer and his family, who said afterwards that he had been tortured, had lost about 15kg and was unable to keep his balance. |
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Balochistan Information centre
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