Eight Iranians of Arab descent, known as Ahwazis, were detained May 11 in Damascus, the Syrian capital. One of those individuals, Said Awda al-Saki, a refugee who had been accepted for resettlement in Norway, has reportedly been returned to Iran, where human rights workers say he could face the death penalty because of his activities in defense of Ahwazis.

Of the seven remaining individuals, six have been recognized officially by the U.N. High Commission for Refugees, and one is a former refugee recently naturalized by the Netherlands, the U.N. refugee agency said Tuesday in Geneva.

The detentions drew a swift rebuke last month from UNHCR, and three of the individuals have since been released. Four remain in detention.
According to the Syrian Foreign Ministry, the extradition of al-Saki was requested by Iranian authorities.

"Extradition does not mean that a refugee or asylum seeker loses his or her international protection status," said Ron Redmond, a spokesman for UNHCR. "We therefore strongly appeal to both Syrian and Iranian authorities to allow the refugee to depart to Norway as scheduled."

Human rights groups have expressed concerns about the deteriorating situation in the Khuzestan region, home to nearly 2 million Ahwazis and the site of much of Iran's oil reserves.

Tension in Khuzestan has mounted since April 2005, when it was alleged the Iranian government intended to disperse the Ahwazi population. Bomb explosions in Ahwaz City in June and October 2005 killed 14 people; explosions at oil installations in September and October have led to mass arrests and the March 2 public execution of two Ahwazis.

Ahwazi Women at United Nations

The following is an excerpt from a statement by Makhale Tshifhiwa on behalf of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) and in association with Ahwazi Human Rights Organization (AHRO) at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (26 May 2006)under Item 4 c) Ongoing priorities and themes: "Indigenous Children, Youth and Women":

Ahwazi women are not only being denied these basic rights and experiencing a lack of space opportunity to conduct peaceful political activities an atmosphere conducive to positive change, but also, following recent episodes, they fear being arrested without charge and held in detention with no access to legal assistance. Instances during the last months and weeks, reported by several human rights organizations, clearly demonstrate the violation of the basic rights of indigenous Ahwazi women and their children. A number of Ahwazi women, among them some pregnant and with their children, have been held for longer periods without access to legal aid or due process. So far, the health of Ms. Sakina Naisi is in danger after harsh treatment led to forced abortion. Ms. Hawashem is still being detained along with her two children. Ms. Masouma Kaabi was also arrested with her child Imad, and Ms. Soghra Khuddayrawai imprisoned along with her son Zeydan. Furthermore, Ms. Fahima Isma'ili recently gave birth to her child Sal'ma whilst held in detention. It is essential to note that the arrested women were all wives and relatives of politically active men.

On behalf of UNPO I express concern at how these indigenous women have suffered ill-treatment and been held unlawfully with their children in custody. We appeal to the Permanent Forum to urge Iran to develop specific non-discriminatory policies towards women; to enhance the situation of women in Iran and in particular indigenous Ahwazi women; to provide and ensure that their basic rights are respected and that these women do not suffer the arbitrary arrest and detention based on the activities of their husbands; that women and men alike are free to voice political dissent when expressed through non-violent and legitimate means; Whilst we appeal for the urgent release of indigenous women, we call upon the Permanent Forum to gather data and information about the situation of indigenous women in Khuzestan and the larger region; and to distribute this information to lay the basis for further recommendations for the authorities in Iran.

Ahwazi Arabs

Ahwaz , Ahvaz or Naseriyah ( as known by the Arabs) , is the capital of Khuzestan, one of 30 provinces of Iran. It lies in the southwest of Iran and is its oil Capital. The people of this province are bilingual…they speak both Arabic and Persian.

The Arab people of Ahwaz are referred to as Ahwazi. They are proud Arabs and they agitate for the right to preserve their cultural and linguistic distinction and more provincial autonomy but instead they have been facing discrimination by Iran for a long time. In 1980 , Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein tried to exploit the situation when he invaded Iran, but the Ahwazi Arabs did not support him. They want to be an independent state but not part of Iraq.

The Syrian Regime under pressure

President Bashar al-Assad is facing mounting pressure over the assassination of former Lebanon's prime minister Rafik Hariri. On June 15 UN investigation chief Serge Brammertz will submit his report on the murder of Hariri. His predecessor Detlev Mehlis implicated Syrian regime in the crime.

Syria is trying hard to please Iran. This is why it is mistreating the Ahawazi refugees even though these people are Arabs like all of us. This is contrary to Syria's claims of being in the forefront of Pan Arab support.

The Lebanese people suffered greatly during the Syrian occupation and can appreciate very well what the people of Ahwaz are going through.
Sources: Ya Libnan, AP, BAFS