Human rights group accuses Iran of targeting Sunni sect leaders
TEHRAN, Iran – A prominent human rights organization has accused Iranian authorities of targeting Sunni sectarian leaders for speaking out against the use of state violence.
A report published by the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) claims that Iran is violating both Iranian law and international law by targeting Sunni religious leaders.
The report calls on the Iranian government to stop persecuting Sunni religious leaders and respect their human rights.
The report mentions the case of Mowlawi Ebrahim Hassan-Zahi, a Baloch Sunni cleric who was arrested in February on his way home from his mosque.
He remains in detention and is reportedly being tortured.
Another example is the case of Mamosta Seifollah Hosseini, a Kurdish Sunni religious leader who was arrested after giving a speech at the funerals of two protesters who were shot dead.
According to the report, persecution of Sunni religious leaders is particularly acute in the Kurdish provinces and in Sistan and Baluchistan province, which borders Pakistan.
According to the report, persecution is often carried out by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
According to the report, the Iranian government uses the persecution of Sunni religious leaders to suppress dissent and maintain its power.
The report is the latest in a series of reports by CHRI documenting human rights abuses in Iran.
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