Ahwaz Human Rights Center \u2013 UK<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the aftermath of the recent 12-day war, Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi, spokesperson for Iran’s Law Enforcement Force, announced the \u201cdeterrence\u201d of approximately 21,000 individuals, referring to it as a “wide wave of arrests” \u2014 the highest number officially reported to date. This revelation has sparked serious concerns about widespread and systematic human rights violations in Iran, particularly in the towns and villages of Ahwaz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This new wave of arrests and intensified security pressure has deeply affected the Arab population of Ahwaz. According to verified reports from independent human rights organizations, dozens of young Arabs have been arbitrarily detained across towns and villages in Ahwaz, without valid judicial warrants or any form of public notification. These arrests often occurred late at night, involving violent raids on homes, confiscation of personal belongings, and intimidation of families. In many cases, the location of the detainees remained unknown for extended periods, leaving their families in a state of fear and uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After being transferred to temporary detention centers and Sheyban Prison, the detainees were charged with vague and politically motivated accusations such as espionage, collaboration with foreign entities, propaganda against the state, and insulting officials. These charges were not supported by independent or credible evidence. Instead, they were built upon confessions extracted under physical and psychological torture, during prolonged interrogations carried out without legal representation. Families have reported that their loved ones were subjected to beatings, forced sleep deprivation, threats of execution, and degrading treatment while in custody \u2014 all clear violations of the absolute prohibition against torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment under international law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sentences handed down have been harsh, unjust, and in direct contradiction to fair trial standards. Some detainees have received five-year prison sentences for alleged espionage, one to two years for propaganda or defamation, and additional penalties including travel bans and forced participation in so-called \u201cideological rehabilitation\u201d sessions. These sentences were issued by Judge Ehsan Adibi Mehr at the so-called Revolutionary Court in Ahwaz \u2014 a figure with a well-documented history of issuing politically motivated verdicts against Arab activists and repeatedly denying them access to independent legal counsel. The judicial process has lacked transparency, excluded independent media and human rights observers, and violated the basic right to a fair and impartial trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The physical and mental condition of the detainees is deeply alarming. Credible reports indicate repeated instances of torture, prolonged solitary confinement, threats of sexual violence, and coercion to sign forced confessions. Families have also reported direct threats from security agents, warning them that any attempt to publicize the cases would lead to further arrests. Fears over the possible issuance and implementation of death sentences for some detainees are serious and growing, representing a grave violation of the fundamental right to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ahwaz Human Rights Center \u2013 UK views these actions as part of a systematic campaign to repress the Ahwazi Arab people, who have been denied their most basic rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, the right to a fair trial, and protection from torture. We call on all international human rights bodies \u2014 especially the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights \u2014 to immediately intervene and demand an end to the repression, the launch of independent and impartial investigations into the arrests and torture cases, unfettered access to legal counsel for all detainees, and the immediate release of all political prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We further emphasize that the international community and member states have a moral and legal obligation to uphold and protect human rights, particularly in cases of widespread and systematic abuse. These human rights atrocities must not be ignored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We urge all media outlets and human rights organizations to raise public awareness, increase international pressure on the responsible authorities, and closely follow the fate of those detained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12 August 2025 \/ 21 Mordad 1404
Ahwaz Human Rights Center \u2013 UK<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ahwaz Human Rights Center \u2013 UK In the aftermath of the recent 12-day war, Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi, spokesperson for Iran’s Law Enforcement Force, announced the \u201cdeterrence\u201d of approximately 21,000 individuals, referring to it as a “wide wave of arrests” \u2014 the highest number officially reported to date. This revelation has sparked serious concerns about widespread …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4647,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ahwaz","category-human-rights"],"yoast_head":"\n