Demanded For Immediate Release of Baloch Teachers

The Organization of Human Rights Activists of Iran and Baloch sources report that twenty two Baloch teachers on 11th and 12th August 2009 were unlawfully picked up at their homes by the Iranian regime in Sarawan and Zahidan. Unfortunately their whereabouts are still unknown to their relatives since they have been denied any access or information.

It is reported by sources in Balochistan that the relatives of missing Baloch teachers are being harassed, intimidated and silenced by suppressive secret forces of the regime for their attempt to seek information and justice for the missing teachers.

So far, the Organization of Human Rights Activists of Iran has identified the missing teachers as Mr Behrooz Bahorzahi, a teacher from the “Twelveth Ordibehesht School”, Mr Ali Reza Chakari, the deputy-principal at the Bagher Khan School, Mr Hamid Reza Chakari, Mr Abdul Rahman Rawanbakhsh, an IT engineer from Sarawan; and from Zahidan as Mohmmad Saleh Islamzai with his 17 years old son Mehdi Islamzai, and Alim Jangizai a teacher at the Bagher Khan School.

Sadly the level of state intimidation and suppression in Balochistan is at an alarming level, so the relatives are unwilling to reveal the details of the missing teachers for the fear of reprisal by the Iranian regime.

The Iranian regime has a policy of suppression towards Baloch people with harsh reprisals. Only last month the Iranian regime resorted to mass execution of Baloch. The regime hanged 13 Baloch in Zahidan without carrying a proper trial.

Therefore Balochistan National Movement hereby expresses its grave concern on the plight of these Baloch teachers since it is characteristic of the Iranian judiciary and the suppressive regime of Iran to carry arbitrary arrest and label at whim, and fabricate charges, then extract confession under sever duress.

Balochistan National Movement demands immediate free access of relatives to the arrested Baloch teachers, and their unconditional release from the custody.

Balochistan National Movement urges United Nations Council for Human Rights, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other humanitarian organisations and major powers to intervene and make urgent efforts for their immediate release.
Balochistan National Movement

August 15th 2009

Source: http://www.zrombesh.org/