Iranian Occupation Authorities Launch a Widespread Arrest Campaign in the City of Dez (Bam Dez), Ahwaz

Ahwaz – January 29, 2025

The Iranian occupation authorities launched a wide-scale arrest campaign in the city of Dez (Bam Dez) in occupied Ahwaz, where Iranian security forces raided the homes of Ahwazi citizens early this morning, arresting dozens of young people and activists without providing any legal justifications.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the detainees were transferred to unknown locations, while some families were informed that their children would be interrogated by the security forces, amid increasing fears of torture and mistreatment inside the notorious Iranian detention centers.

This repressive campaign comes as part of the Iranian authorities’ escalation of policies of oppression and abuse against the Ahwazi people. The Iranian occupation authorities aim to intimidate those advocating for the rights of the Arab Ahwazi people and to prevent any popular movements rejecting the occupation and its discriminatory policies.

The recent wave of arrests is not the first; Ahwazi cities have witnessed an unprecedented escalation in recent months and weeks, including arbitrary arrests and the bringing of over 600 former prisoners to revolutionary courts, in a desperate attempt to break the will of the Ahwazi people who continue their legitimate struggle for their national and human rights.

The Ahwazi Center for Human Rights calls on international human rights organizations to intervene immediately to stop the Iranian violations against the Ahwazi people, demanding the release of the detainees and ensuring their fundamental rights in accordance with international laws and agreements.

Hossein Bouazar originates from Ahwaz and stands as a fervent champion for human rights. Deeply connected to his Ahwazi Arab heritage, his literary works illuminate the adversities faced by this community. An outspoken critic of the Iranian regime, Hossein bravely highlights the grave human rights violations inflicted upon the Ahwazi Arabs. Through his compelling narratives, he seeks to amplify international consciousness of the challenges the Ahwazi Arabs encounter. His prose resonates as a defiant call for a world that upholds the inherent rights of every individual, irrespective of their ethnic roots or background.

Ahwazi Centre for Human Rights