IMHRO condemns the execution of 13 Baluchi men

Iranian Minorities’ Human Rights Organisation (IMHRO)

Ref.IMHRO.65

27/08/09

The Iranian government executed 13 Baluchi men. These men were accused of being members of Jund Allah and were charged with terrorism because of suspected involvement in an attack on a mosque in Zahedan in June 2009.

IMHRO opposes the use of terrorism and the use of the death penalty. IMHRO believes that everyone has the right to a fair trial and condemns the convictions and executions of these men. IMHRO believes the trials of these 13 men were unfair and did not adhere to the standard procedure as the men were allegedly kept in solitary confinement and had been reportedly tortured by the Iranian security services to obtain false confessions.

A Baluchistan relation of one of the executed men, told IMHRO: “They buried them at night. Members of the Security service were present at the funeral. They told us not to hold the funeral service and we should keep silent and not talk about them. I saw signs of torture on the body of my relative, there was signs of burning all over his body.”

“Like always we do not know the details of the cases, Baluchi sources are saying these men were ordinary people or that some of them were political and cultural activists. As usual, the Iranian government did not allow any international observers to attend the hearings. The men did not have a lawyer present and they did not have right to appeal against the court decision. The Iranian government has executed many people in relation to terrorist activities in the past, and then too late, it has been discovered that the suspects were innocent.” IMHRO researcher Reza Washahi said.

IMHRO appeals to international community in regards to the plight of Baluchi people in Iran. This inhuman treatment of Baluchi people has to be stopped. Baluchi people deserve better treatment and the right to a fair trial.