The uprisings in Khuzestan against water crisis continued for the seventh night; Report on protests in various cities
22-July-2021
Category: ethnic minorities
22-July-2021
Newsgroup: Ethnic minorities –
Breathing in Confinement: Seventh day of the uprisings in Khuzestan against water crisis started on Wednesday morning, July 21, 2021, with a gathering in Salihaviyeh village in Darkhovin. At night, people in the cities of Susangerd, Izeh, Dezful, Shadegan, Ramshir, Sheiban, Mahshahr, Khormousa and Masjed Soleiman held protest rallies. In addition, people in the cities of Yazdanshahr in Isfahan and Bandar Genaveh in Bushehr , took to the streets to support the uprisings in Khuzestan. Over the past few days, mobile internet service has been cut off and Wi-Fi internet also has been disrupted.
According to “Breathing in Confinement,” the news organ of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, despite the heavy presence of armed security forces, the peaceful protests of the people in Khuzestan province continued for the seventh night, on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. People took to the streets in the cities of Susangerd, Izeh, Shadegan, Ramshir, Mahshahr, Darkhovin, Khormousa and Masjed Soleiman to protest against the water crisis.
In Izeh, where heavy clashes broke out on Tuesday night between people and security forces, people held protest rallies on Wednesday night. Their peaceful gathering however, was violently dealt with by security forces. Photos and videos uploaded to social media show security agents opening fire on people. Reports indicate that on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, a large number of young protesters were wounded or killed after being shot by security forces. Islamic Republic authorities have confirmed the killing of a young protester.
Previously also, the killing of two protesters, Qassem Khadiri, 17, from Kut Abdullah, and Mustafa Naimawi, 30, from Shadegan, was confirmed by Islamic Republic officials. The reports from the scene, however, indicate that the death toll is higher. Hadi Bahmani, Mohammad Kroushat, Farzad Farisat are three young protesters who have been killed.
Protests in Susangerd also were violently repressed by security forces who fired tear gas and real bullets on the crowd. In addition, security agents used water cannons to disperse thirsty people who protested against the water crisis.
The people of Shadegan also held a protest rally on the seventh night of the protests. People in Masjid Suleiman took to the streets and chanted “Bakhtiaris and Arabs are united.” Their peaceful demonstration also was violently oppressed by the police and security forces.”
In the city of Dezful, where the previous protests turned violent, the government has cut off the internet.
NetBlocks, the global Internet monitoring institute, announced on its latest report that: “Network data from NetBlocks confirm a significant regional disruption to mobile internet service in Iran beginning Thursday 15 July 2021, ongoing almost a week later as of Wednesday 21 July 2021.”
The uprisings began on Thursday, July 15, in protest of the water shortage crisis and rapidly spread to at least 30 cities in Khuzestan as well as other provinces whose people supported the protests in Khuzestan. Last night, July 21, people in Yazdanshahr in Isfahan, held a rally to support the uprisings in Khuzestan. People in the port of Genaveh, in Bushehr province also joined the uprisings and expressed their support for the people of Khuzestan.
Widespread arrests have been reported in Khuzestan. Ahwaz Human Rights Center quoted civil activists as saying: “On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, four Arab citizens from Ramshir, named Omid Tusi, Jassem Tusi, Mehdi Zoghabi and Hassan Amouri, along with some other Arab citizens have been arrested.”
The protests have recently received a widespread support from civil rights activists, artists, actors, and athletes.
A statement signed by 330 artists and celebrities says: “We are in solidarity with all our compatriots in Khuzestan, who are fed up with oppression, violence and discrimination.”
Over the last week, “Breathing in Confinement” has published daily reports on the uprisings in Khuzestan.
The Prisoners’ Rights League, supporting the peaceful protests of the people in Khuzestan, condemns the government’s repressive attitude and the firing of security forces on the people. In addition, the League calls on international community to take immediate action to clarify the number and identities of detainees and that of those who have been killed over the last one week, and as well, to urge the Iranian government to stop the oppressions and to release all detainees.