THE PRESSURES
IMPLEMENTED AGAINST
ARABS CONTINUE IN AHVAZ
Iranian government continues
its obligatory immigration policy in Ahvaz where the Arabs
are densely populated. The government provides social
opportunities for non-Arabs and for Farsi people who agree
to settle in Ahvaz and surroundings. As it is known, 90% of
oil fields and natural gas reserves are in this region. A
proposition has been made to increase the income of the
respected and professional Arabs, who oppose the immigration
of Farsi people to Ahvaz, to persuade them move to Tehran.
The reactions against the report
prepared by former Defense Minister Mohammad Ali Abtahi, who
is known for his closeness to Mohammad Khatemi, in 2005
which aimed to make Arabs in Ahvaz emigrate from the region,
is on the agenda. The public who reacts to this situation
feels suffocated under the harsh sanctions. As a result of
the recent protests in Ahvaz, many Arab groups were forced
to emigrate from the region. Arabs, who voted 95% for
Khatemi in 2001 presidential elections, drew back their
support in 2005.
According to the information,
following 2005, the majority of Arab activists, who were in
an effort for the independence of Ahvaz, have settled in the
region of Basra in Iraq which is neighboring Iran. For
this reason, the Iranian Intelligence Ministry carries out
cross-border operations against the Arab activists living in
the region. In the recent operations, two Arab activists
have beenkilled. It has been stated that, some bureaucrats
working for the Iraqi state act under the guidance of Iran
and play a role in the detection of Arab activists who
immigrated to Iraq from Ahvaz.
