2012/03/01

 

 

Amnesty International said that it was deeply concerned over increasing repression in Iran in advance of the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 2 and called for the immediate and unconditional release of anyone held solely for the peaceful expression of their right to freedom of expression, association or assembly or in connection with their beliefs.

 

Repressive tactics targeting Iran’s ethnic and religious minorities, journalists, and individuals with alleged links to foreign media appear to be part of a strategy to restrict free public debate and to warn people not to protest ahead of the elections.

 

Reports have emerged that around 49 members of the Ahwazi Arab minority have been arrested since January in at least three cities in the southwestern province of Khuzestan.

 

A family member of Nasser Derafshan  Alboshokeh, aged 19, told Amnesty International how his relative and Mohammad al-Ka’bi, aged 34, both members of the Ahwazi Arab minority, died in Ministry of Intelligence detention facilities in Ahvaz and Shush. Both men were reported to have been tortured before they died.

 

The family of Alboshokeh has not yet been permitted to bury him. They have reportedly been told by the local Iranian authorities to keep the memorial service private as a condition of the funeral taking place. He is said not to have had access to legal representation nor been permitted any contact with his family during his four day detention.