The Alahwazi Organization for Human Rights (A.O.H.R) strongly condemns the ongoing persecution of Ahwazi Arab religious activists by Iranian intelligence authorities. A.O.H.R documents the ongoing detention of Seyyed Soheil Mousavi (32 years old, son of Ahmad, married with two children, residing in the Golestan district of Ahwaz).
Mousavi was arbitrarily arrested last July at a relative's house in the Mandali district of Ahwaz by Ministry of Intelligence agents, who physically assaulted him during the raid. Following his arrest, he was subjected to intense physical and psychological torture at the Intelligence detention center to extract forced confessions before being transferred to Sheiban Prison. His case was brought before Branch 12 of the Ahwaz Revolutionary Court solely due to his conversion to Sunni Islam and related peaceful religious activities; he currently awaits a verdict under complete legal uncertainty.
Violated International Legal Standards:
* International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR):
* Article 7: Strict prohibition of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
* Article 9 (1 & 2): Absolute prohibition of arbitrary arrest and guarantee of personal security.
* Article 18 (1): Protection of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and freedom from religious discrimination.
* Article 14 (3): Right to a fair hearing, legal representation, and protection against forced self-incrimination.
* UN Convention Against Torture (CAT):
* Articles 2 & 4: Absolute restriction on torture under any circumstances and invalidation of coerced confessions.
* Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):
* Articles 5 & 18: Freedom from torture and protection of religious freedom.
A.O.H.R demands the immediate and unconditional release of Seyyed Soheil Mousavi, the dismissal of all fabricated charges, and an independent investigation into the torture inflicted upon him.