2021 Sistan and Baluchestan protests

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.

2021 Sistan and Baluchestan protests
Part of 2016–2022 Iranian protests
Date23 February 2021 – 27 February 2021
Location
Caused byKilling of Baloch fuel traders
MethodsDemonstrations, Road closures
Parties
Protesters
Lead figures
Casualties
Death(s)37+ killed during protests and 17 workers[1]
Injuriesunknown
Arrested+300 arrested[2]

Timeline

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23 February

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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

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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

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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

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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]

References

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  1. ^ "Protests Continue in Zahedan Despite Heavy Police Presence | Iran International". 26 February 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  2. ^ "اعتراضات سراوان؛ آمریکا ابراز نگرانی کرد، ایران جسد یک سوخت‌بر را «تحویل گرفت»". Archived from the original on 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  3. ^ "Iran's security forces used live ammunition against unarmed fuel porters". Amnesty International. 2021-03-02. Archived from the original on 2022-02-08. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
  4. ^ ""اعتصاب" در چند شهر استان سیستان‌ و ‌بلوچستان در اعتراض به کشتن سوخت‌بَران". رادیو فردا (in Persian). Archived from the original on 2021-02-24. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  5. ^ "ورود معترضان به یک پاسگاه در زاهدان؛ مولوی عبدالحمید مردم را به آرامش فراخواند". رادیو فردا (in Persian). Archived from the original on 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  6. ^ "ورود معترضان به یک پاسگاه در زاهدان؛ مولوی عبدالحمید مردم را به آرامش فراخواند". رادیو فردا (in Persian). Archived from the original on 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  7. ^ "انتشار ویدیوهایی از اعزام گسترده نیرو و تجهیزات نظامی به سمت جنوب شرق ایران". ایران اینترنشنال (in Persian). 2021-02-26. Archived from the original on 2021-02-27. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  8. ^ "Two Baluch protesters including 13-year-old boy shot dead by IRGC". 2021-02-24. Archived from the original on 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
  9. ^ "Protests Continue In Zahedan Despite Heavy Police Presence". Iran International. 2021-02-26. Archived from the original on 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  10. ^ "UN condemns killing of 23 people in Iran's border area of Pakistan". The Times of India. March 8, 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
  11. ^ "Pakistan's Baluchis Protest Iranian Treatment Of Ethnic Brethren After Border Shootings". RFE/RL. Archived from the original on 2022-02-08. Retrieved 2022-02-08.