According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, it is a common practice for the security forces to round up citizens with Sunni Arab backgrounds ahead of Eid-e Fitr, the Muslim holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In February, Ardeshir Amir-Arjomand, an advisor to opposition leader Mir-Hossain Musavi, condemned the violent clampdowns in the province.
“The security, territorial integrity, independence and sustainable development of the country can only be realized with the participation of all Iranian citizens irrespective of their gender, language, ethnicity, religion or political leanings, and in accordance with accepted international human rights conventions,” said Amir-Arjomand, who is also the spokesperson for the Coordination Council of the Green Path of Hope, the opposition Green Movement’s leading decision-making body.