Mandeans of Ahwaz appeal against persecution

The Mandean community has released the following statement, asserting its right to freedom of worship and criticising endemic discrimination. The Mandeans, like the Ahwazi Arabs, are indigenous to southwest Iran. Followers of a Gnostic religion committed to non-violence, they originate from the followers of John the Baptist, pre-dating both Christianity and Islam, and continue to practice ancient baptismal rites. During the period of Arab self-rule before 1925, they were allowed to worship as they please and were able to live and work freely, often as goldsmiths and merchants. Although many Muslims recognise them as “followers of the Book”, today they endure violent persecution, particularly by Shi’ite militias in post-Saddam Iraq and under the current Iranian regime. They risk becoming extinct as they are forced into religious conversion.

Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the confirmed death sentences and potentially imminent executions of five Ahwazi Arab men in Iran

European Union   Brussels, 29 January 2013 A 43/13

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission issued the following statement today:

“It was with great concern that I learned that an Iranian High Court has upheld the death sentences against Ahwazi Arab activists Mohammad Ali Amouri, Hashem Sha’bani Amouri, Hadi Rashidi, Sayed Jaber Alboshoka and his brother Sayed Mokhtar Alboshoka. Reports that the executions of these men are imminent are very worrying, and I urge the Iranian authorities to commute the
sentences.