This research paper is aimed at reviewing the situation the members of the Al-Ahwaz group encounter and an overall check on the historical, social, political and cultural implications that are associated with Arabs from this particular group. This research paper will give details regarding the situation surrounding members of this minority group located in the Middle East. A general overview of this research paper will be on the historical background on this group and objectives that this group aims at attaining in order to improve on their current situation.
Having reviewed articles that provide information regarding the Al-Ahwaz Arabs, I have established that they are among members of the largest minority group in Iran. The Al-Ahwaz was under British colony before it gained independence through the Persian troops where it was officially declared to be under Iran (Olle, 2003). Members of this minority group are located in the southwestern part of Iraq, in the Al-Ahwaz province. The Al-Ahwaz province is the largest oil extraction point where 90% of the county’s oil is extracted. It has been established that, despite the existence of rich resources in the region, members of the Al-Ahwaz group continue to languish in poverty due to the negligence that is directed to their community. It has been proven that most Ahwaz Arabs have relocated to other regions in order to secure employment opportunities while those left behind stay in poverty (EAHRO, 2013).
It is evident through various reports that members of the Ahwaz Arabs rights have constantly been violated by the Iranian government. This is because they are not in support of the Arabic culture. This is witnessed through the various assessments that have been reported in reference to the loss of land that has been reported. According to Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organizations (UNPO), it has been established that the Iran government has put certain ethical laws in measure that directly discriminate against members of the Ahwaz Arabs (UNPO, 2008). The laws have seen to it that the Ahwaz cannot participate in running for government positions (Al Habtoor, 2011). This is done to assure that they do not out run the laws that have been established. There has been limited access to education among the Ahwaz among other resources. These injustices have received heavy critics from the United Nations Human Rights as established by the UNPO.
The Ahwaz has been deprived of their basic rights as well as their right to own property. This is established through the reports on land injustices. In this particular instance, the Ahwaz has been displaced by the Iranian government in their efforts to give the land owned by the Ahwaz to the Persians and other Non-Arab communities. Despite these displacements, the Ahwaz has received no compensation from the government, yet the government sold the acquired land. This has led to the high numbers shanty towns coming up since they have been replaced with nowhere to resettle. Protests were witnessed following these acts, but the Iranian governments reacted harshly since they were not in support of the Ahwaz. This is because they are members of the minority yet they are focusing on the majority group in order to obtain political favor and run the government in a dictatorship way. It is established that a number of arrests were made following this protests that were conducted by the opposing Ahwaz group.
According to Islam21c (2006), the Ahwaz Arabs have started building up opposition against the Iranian government in order to ensure that members of their ethnicity and religion are no longer neglected. This has been witnessed through the acknowledgement made by the Ahwaz to ensure that they do acquire their community’s freedom regardless the cost they have to acquire it. This is due to the struggles that they have encountered under the Iranian government where they aim at eradicating their community by forcefully implicating the Persians cultural beliefs and practices to the Ahwaz community. This is witnessed where their Iranian government tries to ensure that the Ahwaz children are denied their cultures name and expected to be given a Persian one. The opposition to ensure that their rights are recognized has started following the revolutions that have been witnessed.
According to the Ahwaz news agency, the Syrian Assad regime and the Ahwaz Arabs are joining efforts to fight a common enemy, the Iranian regime (Ahwaz News Agency, 2014). This is because the Iranian government had gained control over the Syrian Vassal state. This is established as a reason as to why Syria joined parties with the Ahwaz to oppose the Iranian government. The Iranian government has been accused of acting like a colonial power where it deprives a minority group a chance to air the concerns and receive equal treatment like other citizens. The Ahwaz opposition has attracted a lot of support from Arabian countries since they are not in support of the Iranian government’s way of ruling.
It has also been established that the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization is one of the organizations that have joined arms with the Ahwaz and other Arab communities.
This has been done in efforts to ensure that the Iranian government observes calls made by human rights activities, and they do observe human rights by ensuring that every culture is valued regardless of their religious beliefs and race. The UNO together with the Ahwaz, aim at educating the Iranian government on the need for unity since it is essential for National development and resolving the cultural differences that exist.
The Democratic Solidarity Part of Ahwaz (DSPA) has also been witnessed as a significant player in ensuring that human rights are recognized in the country and the Ahwaz acknowledge with equal rights despite being a members of the minority group. The aim of the DSPA is to ensure that the Iranian government recognizes Iran as a multi-cultural state where all citizens deserve equal rights. The DSPA is composed of members of the minority group who seek to get their rights recognized.
It is apparent that the Ahwaz group is earning the support through various international organizations that aim at ensuring the minority groups are not oppressed. This is through the efforts that have been made by the United Nations, where they have emphasized on the need for national unity through providing all cultures equal rights. The UNPO and the DSPA have also joined the opposition by calling for recognition of their rights and culture in order to drive to national development since there will be unity. Through research, it is established that the Ahwaz and other minority groups will be successful in acquiring their set objectives. This is because the Iranian government is under international pressure to stop the discrimination being witnessed in the country.
References
Ahwaz News Agency. (2014). Al-Ahwaz will be the next battle after Syria. Retrieved on 20th October 2014, from http://www.ahwaziarabs.info/2012/11/ahwazi-arabs-and-syrian-rebels-in.html
Al Habtoor, K. (2011). Al Ahwaz will always be Arab. Retrieved on 20th October 2014, from http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/al-ahwaz-will-always-be-arab-1.786524
European Ahwazi Human Rights Organization (EAHRO). (2013). Plight of Ahwazi Arabs.
Islam21c.Com. (2006). Al-Ahwaz: Iranian Ethnic Subjugation. Retrieved on 20th October 2014, from http://www.islam21c.com/politics/8003-al-ahwaz-iranian-ethnic-subjugation/
Olle, J. (2003). Al-Ahwaz (Khuzestan) political organization (Iran). Retrieved on 20th October 2014, from http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ir%7Dahwaz.html
Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization. (UNPO). (2008). Retrieved on 20th October 2014, from http://unpo.org/members/7857
