Targeting Identity and Cultural Heritage in Al-Ahwaz: Intelligence Forces Raid Al-Majd Neighborhood, Detaining Cultural Activists Issa and Hassan Al-Marmadhi
Press Release by The Alahwazi Organization for Human Rights (A.O.H.R)
The Alahwazi Organization for Human Rights (A.O.H.R) strongly condemns the early morning raid by Iranian intelligence officers on Friday in the Al-Majd (Kantex) neighborhood along the Kut Abdullah road in Al-Ahwaz city.
Security agents stormed the Al-Marmadhi family residence, ransacked the house, terrorized family members, and arbitrarily detained two brothers and cultural/religious activists: Issa (Hussein) Al-Marmadhi (36, married with two children) and Hassan Al-Marmadhi. Both were transferred to an undisclosed location. The brothers maintain a traditional Arab “Madhyaf” (a cultural and community reception hall), which represents a centuries-old pillar of Ahwazi Arab cultural identity and is frequently targeted by state security apparatuses.
Legal Assessment & International Law Violations:
These detentions represent a clear violation of Iran’s binding treaty obligations:
* Articles 18 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (Freedom of thought, religion, and expression).
* Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) (Right to take part in cultural life).
* Article 9 of the ICCPR (Protection against arbitrary arrest).
A.O.H.R calls on the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights to demand their immediate and unconditional release.
