To COP29 President and All Respected Members,

I am writing to highlight the critical and dire situation faced by the Ahwazi Arab nation under the Iranian occupation regime. The Iranian regime’s systematic and destructive policies are devastating our homeland, Al-Ahwaz, and are aimed at erasing our cultural identity while exploiting our rich natural resources for the benefit of Persian elites.

Ahwaz, once known for its lush and fertile lands, is being transformed into a desolate region through deliberate environmental degradation. The Iranian authorities have engineered the diversion and mismanagement of our rivers, causing severe droughts, desertification, and the displacement of our indigenous Arab nation. The once-vibrant Karun and Karkheh rivers are drying up, leaving behind ecological disasters and ruined livelihoods.

The consequences of this environmental assault are compounded by widespread air pollution, deforestation, and industrial pollution, further endangering the health of our nation. International intervention is urgently needed to halt the ongoing environmental destruction and to demand accountability from the Iranian regime.

Moreover, Ahwazi Arabs have no control over their own land’s resources, economy, or cultural and educational rights. Our people are systematically denied the right to education in the Arabic language, and our rich heritage is being forcibly erased. Economic neglect and discriminatory policies leave us in poverty despite the immense wealth derived from our oil-rich region.

The Iranian regime’s oppressive practices are escalating tensions and fostering desperation, creating a situation that could soon result in further unrest and violence. As an Ahwazi political activist, I implore the international community and environmental organizations and members of COP 29 to urgently address these issues and advocate for the basic human rights and environmental protection and self-determination of the Ahwazi Arab nation.

Sincerely,

Adpf.org

Salah ahwazi