Iranian and Arab groups are coming together for a demonstration against ethnic
cleansing and executions outside the Iranian Embassy, Prince's Gate in London,
on Saturday at 1pm (click here for directions - nearest tube: South Kensington).

The demonstration is being called to oppose Iran's imminent execution of 11
Ahwazi Arabs who the regime has declared guilty of "waging war on God", but who
are widely believed to be innocent. Iranian, Arab and international human rights
organizations believe the men are being killed to terrorise the persecuted
Ahwazi Arab minority in Iran. Ahwazi Arabs have grown increasingly angry over
the denial of cultural rights, high levels of poverty, racial discrimination and
land confiscation, although their homeland is one of the most oil-rich areas in
the world.

The protest is being organized by the Ahwaz Community Association of the UK and
is supported by Arab, Balochi, Azeri, Kurdish and Iranian opposition groups.

The executions have faced widespread condemnation from British and European
politicians across the political spectrum, including Green MEPs Caroline Lucas
and Jean Lambert, Labour MP Chris Bryant, Labour MEP Michael Cashman and
Conservative MP Michael Gove. British human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has
also led calls for a halt to executions in articles in the national press.

The demonstration is expected to be one of the largest - and organizers hope the
noisiest - gatherings of Iranian groups in London, with demonstrators flying
flags and keffiyehs and each protestor carrying the name of an Ahwazi killed by
the regime in the past year. There have been over 130 state killings of Ahwazi
protestors and activists in the past year - both executions and summary killings
- and many more disappearances.
 
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST EXECUTIONS AND ETHNIC CLEANSING OF AHWAZI ARABS

DATE: SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER
TIME: 1PM-3PM
PLACE:
IRANIAN EMBASSY
PRINCE'S GATE
LONDON

For further information, contact:
Ali Bani Turfi, Ahwaz Community Association - tel 020 7403 1790....
 Peter Tatchell - tel: 020 7403 1790....