2021 Sistan and Baluchestan protests explained

2021 Sistan and Baluchestan protests
Partof:2016–2022 Iranian protests
Causes:Killing of Baloch fuel traders
Date:23 February 2021 – 27 February 2021
Methods:Demonstrations, Road closures
Side1:Protesters
Leadfigures2:Ali Khamenei
Hassan Rouhani
Ebrahim Raisi
Injuries:unknown
Fatalities:37+ killed during protests and 17 workers[1]
Arrests:+300 arrested[2]
Place:Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran

The 2021 Sistan and Baluchestan protests were a series of protests in the Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran. The protests started on 23 February 2021 after multiple Baloch fuel traders were killed at the Iran–Pakistan border.

Timeline

23 February

After at least ten fuel traders, including a 17-year-old,[3] were shot and killed by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic the previous day, protests and strikes erupted across Sistan and Baluchestan province on 23 February. In Saravan, protesters were met with live ammunition after they occupied the governor's office.[4]

24 February

On 24 February, protests intensified across the province. In Zahedan, protesters clashed heavily with the security forces, and overran a police outpost.[5] Demonstrations were also reported in Khash, Iranshahr, and Saravan.[6] Internet service in various areas of the province, including Zahedan and Saravan, was completely cut.[7] According to Iran Human Rights Monitor, two protesters, Mohammad Saleh Motaghedi and 13-year-old Hassan Mohammadzehi were killed after they were shot by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Mahmoud Vaezi blamed Pakistani authorities for the killings.[8]

25 February

Despite a complete internet shutdown, and heavy security presence, protests and strikes continued into 25 February in various cities in the province. In neighbourhoods of Zahedan, protestors set up roadblocks and clashed with the security forces.[9]

Responses

High Commissioner for the UNHCHR Rupert Colville condemned the killing of estimated 23 people by Sepah.[10] Several Balochs from Pakistani Balochistan staged protest in support of their Iranian counterparts.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Protests Continue in Zahedan Despite Heavy Police Presence | Iran International . 26 February 2021 . 2021-02-26 . 2021-02-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210226230258/https://iranintl.com/en/iran-in-brief/protests-continue-zahedan-despite-heavy-police-presence . live .
  2. Web site: اعتراضات سراوان؛ آمریکا ابراز نگرانی کرد، ایران جسد یک سوخت‌بر را «تحویل گرفت» . 2021-02-26 . 2021-02-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210226121951/https://www.radiofarda.com/a/us-state-concerned-over-saravan-baluchistan-killings-internet/31122981.html . live .
  3. Web site: 2021-03-02. Iran's security forces used live ammunition against unarmed fuel porters. 2022-02-08. Amnesty International. en. 2022-02-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208182814/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/03/iran-unlawful-killings-of-destitute-fuel-porters-must-be-independently-investigated/. live.
  4. Web site: "اعتصاب" در چند شهر استان سیستان‌ و ‌بلوچستان در اعتراض به کشتن سوخت‌بَران. 2021-02-26. رادیو فردا. fa. 2021-02-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20210224113917/https://www.radiofarda.com/a/strike-in-some-cities-of-sistan-and-baluchestan-province-to-protest-the-killing-of-fuel-carriers/31119278.html. live.
  5. Web site: ورود معترضان به یک پاسگاه در زاهدان؛ مولوی عبدالحمید مردم را به آرامش فراخواند. 2021-02-26. رادیو فردا. fa. 2021-02-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226134653/https://www.radiofarda.com/a/31120288.html. live.
  6. Web site: ورود معترضان به یک پاسگاه در زاهدان؛ مولوی عبدالحمید مردم را به آرامش فراخواند. 2021-02-26. رادیو فردا. fa. 2021-02-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226134653/https://www.radiofarda.com/a/31120288.html. live.
  7. Web site: 2021-02-26. انتشار ویدیوهایی از اعزام گسترده نیرو و تجهیزات نظامی به سمت جنوب شرق ایران. 2021-02-26. ایران اینترنشنال. fa. 2021-02-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20210227025307/https://iranintl.com/%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%88%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%85-%DA%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%87-%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88-%D9%88-%D8%AA%D8%AC%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%AA-%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A8-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86. live.
  8. Web site: 2021-02-24. Two Baluch protesters including 13-year-old boy shot dead by IRGC. 2022-02-08. en-US. 2022-05-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20220524084430/https://iran-hrm.com/2021/02/24/two-baluch-protesters-including-13-year-old-boy-shot-dead-by-irgc/. live.
  9. Web site: 2021-02-26. Protests Continue In Zahedan Despite Heavy Police Presence. 2021-02-26. Iran International. en. 2021-02-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226230258/https://iranintl.com/en/iran-in-brief/protests-continue-zahedan-despite-heavy-police-presence. live.
  10. Web site: March 8, 2021. UN condemns killing of 23 people in Iran's border area of Pakistan . 2021-03-13. The Times of India. en. 2021-03-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20210310191805/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/un-condemns-killing-of-23-people-in-irans-border-area-of-pakistan/articleshow/81394619.cms. live.
  11. Web site: Pakistan's Baluchis Protest Iranian Treatment Of Ethnic Brethren After Border Shootings. 2022-02-08. RFE/RL. en. 2022-02-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208182810/https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/pakistan-baluchis-protest-iran-border-shootings/31132621.html. live.

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