Right to housing; Security forces attack the people of Abolfazl village in Ahvaz
29-August-2020
Category: Uncategorized
Breathing in Confinement: Following a complaint filed against the residents by Bonyad-e Mostazafan (Foundation of the Oppressed), and after the law enforcement agents along with the municipality staffs were deployed to”Hazrat Abolfazl” village in Ahvaz, to demolish the houses, the residents protested the decision and fought with the police.
“In this clash, the unarmed people were attacked by the police using tear gas and BBs,” reported Breathing in Confinement, the news organ of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, referring to the videos and news published on Khuzestan Human Rights website.
During the clash, a number of protesting citizens were injured being shot by BBs and some others are said to have been arrested. However, the Ahwaz police commander denied that the officers had fired at the residents of Abolfazl village, claiming that “the images of the injured villagers are fake. And four police officers and one municipal official were injured in the clash.”
“On Wednesday evening, the governor, the prosecutor, municipal executives, and law enforcement officers went to the village to reclaim the lands belong to Bonyad-e Mostazafan (Foundation of the Oppressed),” said the police chief in Ahwaz in his report on the incident.”Some people prevented the agents from entering the lands of Bonyad-e Mostazafan and attacked the municipal administration agents by throwing stones. They also blocked the road, preventing the municipal vehicles and agents from entering,” Mr. Dalvand continued.
He also professed that “the people attacked the police and continued to do so despite the restraint of the police. That is why the police dispersed the crowd to prevent further clashes”.
In addition, he threatened the publishers of the images, to being monitored by FATA police for “disturbing public order and security as well as disturbing public peace of mind”.
Residents of Abolfazl village with about 300 families claim to have a document showing that they have been living in the area for nearly 40 years. Bonyad-e Mostazafan however, claiming to be the owner of the land, prevents the provision of services as well as granting a village codes to the residence.”