UNPO Denounces Execution of Balochi Man
On Monday 19 February 2007 Nasrollah Shanbehzai was executed by public hanging following what reports indicate was an unlawful trial in Iran. Mr. Shanbehzai was arbitrarily arrested following violence in Zahedan on 14 February 2007, after which he was reportedly tortured by Iranian police until he agreed to sign a written confession of guilt.
On 15 February 2007 Mr. Shanbehzai was sentenced to death following a brief trial, during which an independent defense lawyer was not offered.
The execution of Mr. Shanbehzai is not the first persecution committed against the Baloch community in
UNPO strongly condemns the use of public hangings and what can only be seen as blatant violations of human rights afforded in international humanitarian law.
Therefore UNPO has appealed to Ms. Hélène Flautre, Chairperson of European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights, Ms. Angelika Beer, Chairwoman of European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Iran, Ms. Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prof. Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Ms. Yanine Poc, Head of Asia Desk at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Mr. Luis Alfonso de Alba, President of the UN Human Rights Council to:
Urge Iranian authorities to immediately halt further persecution of the Baloch community and the execution of its people;
Remind Iranian authorities of their obligations under internationally recognised standards of Human Rights; and
Raise issues regarding the Government of