Mar 22, 2005

Ahwazi Representatives Met the UN Official on Issue of Violence Against Women


The discussion covered a broad range issues focussing on the psychological and physical torture inflicted on indigenous women of Ahwaz
A Delegation representing the cause of the Democratic Solidarity Party of Ahwaz and the Ahwaz Human Rights Organization met at the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) at Palais Wilson on 22 March. This high level meeting was facilitated by UNPO to draw the attention of Ms. Yakin Erturk the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences. The delegates met Federica Donati the Assocaite Human Rights officer and Lucinda O'Hanlon, assistants to the Rapporteur.

The discussion covered a broad range issues focussing on the psychological and physical torture inflicted on indigenous women of Al Ahwaz, their exposure to the dangers of landmines, extreme poverty, lack of education and unemployment. The Delegates also talked about the need of empowering women in post-conflict situations and in the current context of Iran's militarisation of the province. The discussion has given some new direction to the Ahwazi lobbying process at the UN level. British Ahwazi Friendship Society the resource unit for the Ahwazis in the UK will follow up the advocacy with the OHCHR office with statistics and case studies requiring urgent action to draw the attention of the Special Rapporteur prior to her submission of report on Iran. The delegates are also looking into the possibility of using the urgent appeal mechanism for specific cases within the UN system.

 

Source: Ahwaz