Iran: An Unknown Apartheid

activities Iranian representatives plead for international community to address bigotry towards minorities. UNPO representatives addressed Permanent Missions in the UN on Friday 12 February to decry the situation of minorities within the Islamic Republic of Iran, just days before Iran comes under examination in their first ever Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council. The event hosted by Interfaith International and UNPO provided a platform for debate and discussion of rights violations with a particular focus on the Baloch, Ahwazi Arab, Azerbaijani Turk and Kurdish minorities. In reference to the obstacles placed before religious and ethnic minorities in the workplace and to gain access to university, Mr. Nasser Boladai from West Balochistan denounced life for many citizens in Iran as a form of "apartheid about which the world is unaware". Mr. Loghman Ahmedi elaborated on these restrictions reminding the participants of the inherent contradictions in the Iranian constitution. Ahmedi noted that the constitution prevents women and any non-Shia from being elected as President, despite provisions in Article 19 that pledges ‘color, race, language, and the like, do not bestow any privilege'. A significant proportion of Iran's minority groups are Sunni Muslims, and are therefore entirely excluded from many political processes. Global media attention has been drawn towards the post-election demonstrations in Iran and around the world, but many Iranian minorities boycotted the elections well in advance of the opening of polling stations in June last year once their candidates were forcibly excluded from running by central authorities. Mr. Adnan Torfi, representing the Ahwazi Arabs described the situation for minorities as that of second class citizens, whose land and natural resources were plundered without any benefit for local health or education facilities, generating a poverty trap for millions. The situation of other minorities was also addressed, with Mr. Boladai describing the discrimination and imprisonment of Baha'is in Iran as "absolutely disgraceful". The testimonies validated a European Parliament resolution adopted this week that denounced the "systematic harassment" of religious minorities and the ongoing "campaign of arbitrary arrests and executions against Kurdish, Azeri Baluch and Arab civil society and political activists". It is hoped that the event will lead to the predicament of minorities being raised during Monday's Human Rights Council review of Iran. Iranian authorities will be asked to comment on their recent human rights record and will accept or reject formal recommendations made by states. In a mark of the serious nature of the human rights situation in Iran, it is believed that around 90 states have requested to make a formal intervention during the Review, but time will most likely limit participation to 50.

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UNPO representatives addressed Permanent Missions in the UN on Friday 12 February: In reference to the obstacles placed before religious and ethnic minorities in the workplace and to gain access to university, Mr. Nasser Boladai from West Balochistan denounced life for many citizens in Iran as a form of "apartheid about which the world is unaware". 329 true

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sr http://www.unpo.org/content/view/10715/81/ Iran: An Unknown Apartheid

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activities UNPO Members in Geneva for the Universal Periodic Review of Iran highlight the key issues effecting their people and Iranian minorities as a whole.  In advance of the first ever examination of the Islamic Republic of Iran under the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review, 4 UNPO Members draw attention to institutionalised injustice and discrimination. UNPO Members representing Iranian Kurdistan, Al-Ahwaz, Southern Azerbaijan and Balochistan will address Permanent Missions, international institutions and NGOs on Friday 12 February 2010 during a seminar at the Human Rights Council. The event held in collaboration with Interfaith International, is set to draw attention to the disproportionate discrimination and rights abuses suffered by Iranian minorities in advance of Iran's inaugural examination under the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) next week. Mass protests take place around the world today [February 11 2010], to denigrate the 31st anniversary of the Iranian Revolution in light of the increasing restrictions on rights and freedoms experienced over the last three decades and fostered by ongoing resentment over the disputed nature of the 2009 Presidential elections. Last year's elections pushed civilian uprise and protest within Iran onto the front pages worldwide. Most media outlets failed to notice however that a significant proportion of the Iranian population had already made their political statement before the ballot boxes had even opened. Many minority communities boycotted the election process once their preferred candidates were officially excluded or forced to withdraw their candidature. Iran's population is a religious, political, linguistic and ethnic mosaic. Unfortunately, the geographical location of the population in the peripheries is matched by cultural, linguistic and political marginalization and low socio-economic indicators. In the seminar, UNPO Member representatives will highlight the commonalities in their struggles and importantly provide recommendations to reduce inequality between groups and lessen resentment and distrust of central authorities. Iran's 3 hour examination by other States takes place on Monday February 15 2010 and later this year Iran will accept recommendations to improve their human rights record over the following four years. UNPO Member representatatives have been meeting with Permanent Missions to ensure Article 19 of Iran's constitution which states that all people of Iran "enjoy equal rights; and color, race, language, and the like, do not bestow any privilege" becomes more than ink on paper. On a positive note, a resolution adopted yesterday (10/2/2010) by the European Parliament, called on Iran to make substantial efforts to improve its human rights record and made explicit references to UNPO members; Iranian Kurdistan, West Balochistan, Southern Azerbaijan and the Ahwazi. The adoption of this resolution is an encouraging signal that the international community is aware of the minority issues within Iran and is willing to help provide a panacea for the problem. For more information please click here:

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European Parliament, called on Iran to make substantial efforts to improve its human rights record and made explicit references to UNPO members; Iranian Kurdistan, West Balochistan, Southern Azerbaijan and the Ahwazi. 327 true

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sr http://www.unpo.org/content/view/10706/81 UNPO Members Highlight Iranian Discrimination at UN

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activities <img style="FLOAT: left" title="BPP_LogoTra.gif" src="/images/69.gif" alt="BPP_LogoTra.gif" width="60" height="58" />Rome, 07 February 2010 - The UNPO Secretariat in Rome (Italy) played host to the 8th Session of the UNPO Presidency on 05 and 06 February 2010. Presided by UNPO Vice President Ms Maysing  Yang (Taiwan) the meeting brought together UNPO Presidency Members from Abkhazia, Balochistan, Crimean Tartars, East Turkestan, Khmer Krom, Montagnards, Sindh, Southern Cameroons, Taiwan and Zanzibar. The UNPO Presidency meets several times every year, providing an essential element of continuity between the full assemblies of UNPO Members, and is mandated to supervise and assist in the implementation of the overall policy of the organization as articulated at the meetings of the General Assembly. The agenda of the meeting covered a wide array of issues, including 'Returning Refugees: Extradition to Torture', UNPO activity plan 2010 and the location of upcoming UNPO General Assembly to be held in Summer 2010. <img style="float: left;" title="UNPORome05022010.jpg" src="/images/693.jpg" alt="UNPORome05022010.jpg" width="311" height="222" />Prior to the Presidency meeting, UNPO hosted a conference on the topic of non-refoulement (a  international refugee law, that concerns the protection of refugees from being returned to places where their lives or freedoms could be threatened) of refugees in the Chamber of Deputies in Rome. Representatives from UNPO and its members, discussed the urgent situation affecting individuals from their respective regions.  Members of the Nonviolent Radical Party, delegation of Radical MPs in the Democratic Party Group in the Italian Parliament, Mr Jurgen Humburg from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR),  Senator Marco Perduca (Italian Senate), Jean-Leonard Touadi, MP (Italian parliament) and Dr David Donat-Cattin (Parliamentarian for Global Action)  spoke on international and Italian obligations of non-refoulement. The conference was chaired by Matteo Mecacci, MP, Human Right Rapporteur for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Balochistan was <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; color: black; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;" lang="EN-US">represented by Abdullah Jamalzhai UNPO Presidency Member. <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Balochistan Peoples Party

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The UNPO Presidency meets several times every year, providing an essential element of continuity between the full assemblies of UNPO Members, and is mandated to supervise and assist in the implementation of the overall policy of the organization as articulated at the meetings of the General Assembly 325 true

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BPP 8th Session of the UNPO Presidency meeting in Rome (Italy)

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activities   Children of the black pearl is a picture exhibition highlighting the harsh situation the Baloch people are enduring in Balochistan. he event held in association with Helene E. and Studiefrämjandet in Sundbyberg. <a href="http://rozhn.tv/?id=243&cat=">Homayoon Mobaraki</a> travelled to Balochistan a year ago and managed to photograph and film various sceneries and people of the region. In this exhibition pictures of people that he encountered on roads, in villages and cities along with magnificent pictures from the nature of Balochistan will be on display.  <div> <div> <div class="UIProfileBox_Container"> <div class="UIProfileBox_Box"> <div class="UIProfileBox_Content"> <div class="description"><img style="float: left; " src="http://rozhn.tv/images/newsimages/201017191640img2815.jpg" alt="" />Professor Carina Jaha ni will give a presentation about the Baloch people and the Balochi language.</div> <div class="description"> <div> Homayoon Mobaraki will give a presentation and background stories for certain pictures that need further explanation, along with a video that he has directed. </div> Monireh Sulemani M.Sc in Political Science will give a presentation about the situation of the women in Balochistan, as well as the human rights situation in the region. Seria Dadiar will present the speakers and briefly speak about the exhibition. </div> </div> </div> </div>   <div> Arranged and produced by Homayoon Mobaraki and Topaak,  in association with Studiefrämjandet in Sundbyberg. </div> </div> </div>   <div class="meta ltr"> Writer: RTV Publisher: Rozhn TV Source: http://rozhn.tv/?id=243&cat= </div>

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Children of the black pearl is a picture exhibition highlighting the harsh situation the Baloch people are enduring in Balochistan. he event held in association with Helene E. and Studiefrämjandet in Sundbyberg. 319 true

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Rozhn TV www.rozhn.tv Balochistan Picture Exhibition Children Of The Black Pearl

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activities <img title="unpo-genev2_large.jpg" src="/images/660.jpg" alt="unpo-genev2_large.jpg" width="350" height="263" /> Thank you Madame Chair. I am speaking on behalf of the Balochistan region of Iran. We thank the secretariat for the opportunity to participate in this forum, a forum which provides silenced voices with an opportunity to share experience and look for solutions to problems we face on a daily basis. <img title="unpo-genev3_large.jpg" src="/images/664.jpg" alt="unpo-genev3_large.jpg" width="221" height="166" /> Despite the initiatives mentioned by the Iranian delegation to improve the situation of minorities within Sistan-Balochistan, it continues to be the poorest and most underdeveloped region of Iran. According to a UN assessment in 2003, Balochistan has the worst indicators for life expectancy, adult literacy, primary school enrollment, access to clean water and sanitation and infant and child mortality in all of Iran. The Baloch language is forbidden in formal and public places, and Baloch children are deprived of using their mother tongue which inhibits full participation in public life for Baloch people. <img title="unpo-genve_large.jpg" src="/images/668.jpg" alt="unpo-genve_large.jpg" width="350" height="263" /> So what can be done to improve the situation for every group, without discrimination, in Iran? The challenge is to create a participatory political structure where minorities enjoy the same rights as the majority group, recognizing the diverse cultures and histories of the Iranian population. The structure of the state needs to be changed from the current centralized government to a federal system, which would provide the opportunity for the ethnic groups to participate. <img title="unpo-genve-1_large.jpg" src="/images/672.jpg" alt="unpo-genve-1_large.jpg" width="350" height="263" /> Therefore, the Baloch nation and other brother and sister nations in Iran must be recognized within its boundaries, as a people that - whilst distinct from each other, is equal in collective rights and duties. <img title="unpo-genve-2_large.jpg" src="/images/676.jpg" alt="unpo-genve-2_large.jpg" width="226" height="149" /> Federalism in Iran should take a two-fold approach. First it should devolve power to the constituent units, based on national diversities in Iran, shared sovereignty plus self-rule, second through the establishment of common institutions at the federal level, which guarantees that no national group is privileged, as is guaranteed in Article 19 of the Iranian Constitution. Within the Federal system, minorities should have financial autonomy, a guarantee that the tax collection power should be divided between the federal government and the national republics, in a way that makes the national republics financially autonomous of the federal government. In this way the Baloch nation has a chance to share some of the resources that can be found in Balochistan. This gives us greater opportunity to become more involved as equal partners in the running of our country. <img title="unpo-monireh_large.jpg" src="/images/680.jpg" alt="unpo-monireh_large.jpg" width="350" height="263" /> International arenas, such as this space, are very important for minority groups because they are free to challenge the status quo. In most states the voices of the minorities are silenced with coercion. So we the Baloch people thank you for this opportunity and once again,

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Joint statement submitted by: Baloch peoples political parties Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization Congress of Nationalities for a Federal Iran 311 true

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mhd BPP Minorities and Effective Participation 12-13 November 2009, United Nations, Geneva

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activities The Baloch representative in the UNPO Mr. Noordin Mengal in his presentation gave a graphic detail of atrocities committed by Pakistani state in Balochistan since the occupation of Balochistan by Pakistani forces. He spoke on Gross Human Rights Violation in Balochistan, enforced disappearances, political assassination and target killings, mass arrests, mass Killings and Torture of the Baloch by Pakistani State agencies. He also shed light on Balochistan IDPs, freedom of expression and social and economical discrimination towards the Baloch by the Pakistani state. Pakistan's fifth army operation in Balochistan is continuing. During the recent military operation 2004-2009 in Balochistan, serious human rights violations have been recorded by various human rights organizations. The Pakistani state is continuously suppressing, violating and subduing the Baloch right of freedom and sovereignty. The ISI and Military Intelligence (MI) agencies are largely responsible for the arrest and disappearances of thousands of Baloch people. Pakistan's persistent policy to physically eliminate the Baloch political leaders is alarming.  Elaborating on the Pakistani atrocities, he said that the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force by the military resulted in killing of hundreds of Baloch civilians national leaders including Baloch national leader Nawab Akbar Bugti and Nawabzada Balach Marri. The Baloch national leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal was illegally detained in solitary confinement and kept in an iron cage for one and half year. A renowned Baloch intellectual, political analysts and writer Mr. Jan Mohammad Dashti was critically injured in an attempt on his life. He said that women have been reported missing and arbitrarily detained including zarrina marri a 23 year old schoolteacher from Kahan. Due to indiscriminate and continuous air and ground offensive by the Pakistani air force and military more than two hundred thousands of people have been displaced from Dera Bugti and kohlu. Mr. Ghulam Muhammad Baloch chairman of BNM Lala Munir Ahmad Baloch vice-chairman of BNM Sher Mohammad joint secretary of BRP were abducted by the Pakistani secret agencies ISI and MI from their solicitor office after a court hearing on 3rd April 2009. They were blind folded, whisked away and killed by pakistani security forces. Their mutilated and decomposed bodies were found in Peedark near Turbat after six days. He said that the Baloch have never accepted the occupation of their land from day one and have resisted it. He said that it is imperative that the Baloch should exercise the universal right of self determination as envisaged by the UN Charter. He appealed to the UN and the international community to help and support the Baloch for their just struggle for freedom, dignity and sovereignty as an independent secular democratic Balochistan can play a pivotal role in the regional and global security.  Ms. Suriya Makhdoom of World Sindhi Congress expressed her solidarity with the Baloch nation and said Sindhis are also oppressed by Pakistani establishment. She highlighted the suffering and injustices of Sindhi nation by the Pakistani establishment Mr Samad Baloch Secretary General Of Baloch Human rights Council (UK) spoke on Baloch right of self determination and its impact on Regional & Global security. He said that the Baloch struggle for the right of self determination by implication has impacts on regional and global peace. The right of self-determination of peoples is a fundamental principle in international law and emergence of democratic and secular sovereign states in the region as a result of granting the right of self determination to the Baloch and other oppressed nations will be a counter check for the religious fundamentalist states of Pakistan and Iran and will contribute to regional and world security. He added that the Baloch consider the occupation of their land by Pakistan and Iran as illegal. The Baloch have never accepted the annexation of their newly independent state into Pakistan and adopted various forms of resistance to illegal occupation. Since the collapse of the organized resistance against the Iranian occupation in 1928, the Baloch in Iranian held territory have been resisting the occupation through political mobilization and low intensity armed movements. He emphasized that allowing the Baloch to exercise their right of self determination will lead to the achievement of this right by the other subjugated nationalities like Sindhis, Kurds, Azeris, Seraikis and other in Iran and Pakistan. He urged the international community to get involved in the conflict between the Baloch and the occupying states as it is imperative for securing a long lasting peace and security situation in the region that the unjust state boundaries should be readjusted and the divided Baloch should be united. Mr. Nasser Boledai of Balochistan Peoples Party (Iran), Mr. Abdullah Baloch of Balochistan national Movement (Iran) Jamshed Amiri of BUFFR spoke on the brutalities of Iranian Shia state in Balochistan. They gave a detailed account of the recent mass arrests, harassment of Baloch people and the execution of innocent Baloch civilians in Zahidan. They said high level of intimidation, harassment arrests, and torture is ongoing in Balochistan by Iranian state. Peaceful protests have been suppressed, political and religious leaders have been detained unlawfully, freedom of expression and assembly is totally restricted. They exposed the crude brutalities and heinous crimes committed against humanity in Balochistan by shia state of Iran and requested the UN to take notice the naked fascism and brutalities of Tehran against the Baloch civilians and asked the UN and the international community to support the Baloch struggle for sovereignty. Munir Mengal, and a Kashmiri representative also spoke on the occasion. Tariq Sabro read a statement on behalf of Suleman Daud, the Khan Of Kalat to the conference.   Issued by: Samad Baloch Secretary General Of Balochi Human Rights Council (UK), Dated 10 June 2009 Info_bhrc@yahoo.co.uk

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Interfaith International & UNPO with collaboration with Baloch Human Rights Council (UK), World Sindhi Congress and Sindhi Baloch Forum held a conference on Balochistan entitled "Self - DETERMINATION IN BALOCHISTAN - ITS RELATION TO REGIONAL & GLOBAL SECURITY" on 8th June 2009 during the 11th session of the UNHRC in Geneva. The conference was presided over by Dr. Charles Graves of interfaith international. The UNPO representative Ms. Maggie Murphy introduced the Balochistan issue. 197 true

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http://www.ostomaan.org/articles/news-and-views/2969 Press Release: Conference On Balochistan Entitled "self - Determination In Balochistan - Its Relation To Regional & Global Security"

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