Mar 02, 2007

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.

The Hague, 02 March 2007 – UNPO remains deeply concerned about the persecution of the Baloch community by Iranian authorities.

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 Iran, rather his execution represents yet another in a growing number of violations and routine executions committed by Iranian authorities in the past year alone.

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 Iran’s practices with particular attention to their policy towards minority communities and indigenous peoples, such as the Baloch community.