Latest news with #FreeBalochistanMovement
Memri
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Memri
It Is Not Just About Regime Change – It Is About Reshaping The Region: The Post-Ayatollahs Iran Has To Include Non-Persians
The solution to Balochistan's 77-year plight is not regime change in Tehran or Islamabad. The solution to Balochistan's decades-long occupation is to give full control of the republic of a united Balochistan to its own people. Baloch protester holds a placard. (Source: Twitter) Balochis flying the flag of Balochistan. (Source: CIA) Not The Mullahs Nor The Shah Both Iran and Pakistan are repressing, persecuting, jailing, and massacring the Baloch people. Today's Mullah regime in Iran is executing our people on bogus charges, demolishing Baloch villages to pave the way to shift its capital Tehran to Makuran,[1] in Balochistan's Chabahar coastal regions, tomorrow the Pahlavi regime will continue the legacy of Khamenei by suppressing the Baloch nation as his father Reza Shah Pahlavi in 1973 helped Pakistan's Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto quell our legitimate independent movement.[2] We desire to inform all those people who are helping install Reza Pahlavi in Tehran after expelling Khamenei, that their money, blood, and efforts will be wasted if they do not include Baloch, Kurds, Ahwazis, and the other non-Persian ethnic nations that comprise 50 of the population as stakeholders in this entire process. Khamenei is funding proxies to harm Israel and the Middle East, the Pahlavi will continue developing the Iranian nuclear program with a beardless face and diplomatic attire. A placard reads: "Iran is a country of 70 nations. A coalition of parties. One person [referring to Reza Pahlavi] is not an attorney for the whole country. Any coalition of any kind, if it is going to happen, must be formed with all parties." (Source: Twitter) *Mir Yar Baloch is a Baloch writer, scholar, political scientist, Baloch nationalist leader, member of the secular Free Balochistan Movement, and special advisor to MEMRI's Balochistan Studies Project.
Memri
2 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
Baloch Support For Israel's Preemptive Strike Against The Ayatollah's Regime
On June 15, 2025, the secular Free Balochistan Movement (FBM), headed by the renowned Baloch leader Hyrbyair Marri, published a statement on Israel's preemptive strike against Iran. In the statement, the FBM stressed: "The way in which Israel is resisting the Iranian state's expansionism and terrorism is commendable. It is a clear fact that Israel is not an enemy of the Baloch nation. On the contrary, extremist, and fundamentalist states like Iran and Pakistan are common enemies of both Israel and the Baloch people." It then added: "The Baloch nation is fighting a battle for survival against these very states, and Israel's decisive military actions against the Iranian regime are not only encouraging but also represent a positive sign for the Baloch people, who have long suffered under Iranian colonialism."[1] Baloch activist holding the flags of Balochistan and of Israel Baloch Scholar Warns Against The Manipulation Of Public Sentiment Through Religious Rhetoric By The Ayatollah's Regime In addition, a prominent Sunni scholar in Iranian-occupied Balochistan, Maulana Abdul Ghaffar Naqshbandi, has strongly criticized attempts to portray the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel as war between Islam and unbelievers, calling such narratives misleading and dangerous.[2] In a public statement shared on the social media platform X, Maulana Naqshbandi declared that the Iran-Israel conflict has no connection to Islam, and warned religious scholars and the broader Sunni community against falling for sectarian propaganda. "Labelling this geopolitical conflict as a war between Islam and Kufr [unbelief] is a complete distortion of reality," he wrote. "This narrative misguides the masses and has no basis in Islamic teachings." The Baloch cleric, who is known for his vocal opposition to Tehran's sectarian policies and support for human rights in Balochistan, cautioned the Baloch people to be wary of efforts to manipulate public sentiment through religious rhetoric. Maulana Naqshbandi went on to criticize Iran's clerical regime, stating that it is now suffering the consequences of its own long-standing policies of fostering extremist groups. "The very forces the Iranian regime empowered for years are now contributing to regional instability and backfiring," he said. He then condemned the regime's use of sectarian emotions to divert attention from its failures.
Memri
4 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
Free Balochistan Movement: The Way Israel Is Resisting The Iranian State's Expansionism And Terrorism Is Commendable; Extremist And Fundamentalist States Like Iran And Pakistan Are Common Enemies Of B
The following is a statement on Israel's preemptive strike against Iran by the secular Free Balochistan Movement, headed by the renowned Baloch leader Hyrbyair Marri. After Israel's June 12 strike on Iran, the need to support the non-Persian ethnic groups in the country to bring about the collapse of the Ayatollahs' regime has become clearer. A coalition of non-Persian ethnic groups could topple the regime in a few months. It is worth noting that, unlike the Persian anti-regime population, the non-Persian anti-regime population is militarily organized. Concerning the Kurds, the following are their armed groups present on the ground ready to fight the Iranian regime: the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK), the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI), the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan (Komala), and the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK). These are well-known political parties and armed groups: KDPI has been around since the 1940s and Komala since the 1960s. They can gather thousands of people. The Balochs have the Baloch Army, which is an umbrella organization that covers the whole of Balochistan and is led by the secular and committed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The Ahwazi National Resistance is the secret armed group of Ahwaz. There are no Persian organized militarized anti-regime groups on the ground in Iran. Following is a statement of the Free Balochistan Movement:[1] "Israel's Decisive Military Actions Against The Iranian regime Are Not Only Encouraging But Also Represent A Positive Sign For The Baloch People, Who Have Long Suffered Under Iranian Colonialism" "The spokesperson of the Free Balochistan Movement said in a statement that the situation in the region is changing rapidly and this transformation could become a rare and significant opportunity for Baloch national independence – provided that those responsible for the Baloch national independence struggle, along with the Baloch people, who are the true source of this movement, establish mutual unity and consensus, consolidate their dispersed national strength into a single front, and maintain unwavering faith in their national power and cause. "The statement noted that nations always make difficult decisions based on their interests. To benefit from the current developments in the region, it is imperative that we set aside all partisan, group-based, and individual interests and preferences, and adhere to the core principles and regulations of the Baloch independence movement and collective national interests. "The current regional situation represents a decisive phase for the Baloch nation. Our national identity is facing severe threats under the occupation of Pakistan and Iran and if the Baloch people do not unite at this critical juncture to protect their interests, history will never forgive us for this failure. "The spokesperson further stated that whether it is the Sunni-majority state of Pakistan or the Shia-led state of Iran, both have spared no effort in committing genocide against the Baloch. However, the way in which Israel is resisting the Iranian state's expansionism and terrorism is commendable. It is a clear fact that Israel is not an enemy of the Baloch nation. On the contrary, extremist and fundamentalist states like Iran and Pakistan are common enemies of both Israel and the Baloch people. "The Baloch nation is fighting a battle for survival against these very states, and Israel's decisive military actions against the Iranian regime are not only encouraging but also represent a positive sign for the Baloch people, who have long suffered under Iranian colonialism." (Source: CIA) "The Baloch Nation Has Always Been A Victim Of Iranian Occupation, Which Continues Today In The Form Of Systematic Genocide" "However, we must also accept the harsh reality that sitting idly by, hoping that some global power will intervene to liberate the Baloch nation, is both illogical and naive. The evolving situation in the region involves multiple parties with their own agendas and interests, which may not necessarily align with the goals of the Baloch national struggle. Therefore, to achieve the restoration of Baloch national freedom and territorial sovereignty, it is vital that all Baloch people involved in the movement prioritize collective national interests, the requirements of the freedom struggle, and the independence of a united Balochistan. "The spokesperson added that the Iranian state has long pursued expansionist policies in the Middle East, resulting in ongoing instability and uncertainty across the region. Iran is not only occupying Baloch territory, but its expansionism has also affected the Arabs of Al-Ahwaz, Kurds, Turkmen, Lurs, and the Turks of South Azerbaijan. Therefore, in this critical period – when political and social conditions in the region are changing rapidly and the likelihood of border changes has increased – the Baloch nation should build relations with other oppressed nations resisting Iranian occupation and repression, and establish the principles and framework of effective partnerships, to maximize gains from this volatile situation. "The statement went on to say that the Baloch nation has always been a victim of Iranian occupation, which continues today in the form of systematic genocide. In the current scenario, where the Iranian regime is militarily weakened and isolated on the global stage, this moment represents an opportunity for the Baloch national struggle. Any military action against Iran should be viewed, albeit indirectly, as a development in favour of the Baloch cause. However, it is equally important to remember that in order to capitalize on such opportunities, unity and confidence in collective national strength are essential within the Baloch nation – so that it may effectively communicate its voice to the world." Balochis flying the flag of Balochistan. "Such Historic Moments Do Not Recur Frequently In the Region" "In this context, the Free Balochistan Movement has prepared a comprehensive document titled 'Democratic Transition Plan for Iran,' which outlines a phased strategy for liberation, developed in collaboration with occupied Balochistan and other subjugated nations, in view of possible regional transformations. Furthermore, a detailed document titled 'Balochistan Liberation Charter'[2] has already been compiled, outlining the administrative roadmap of an independent Balochistan and shedding full light on its post-independence political and social governance. "The spokesperson concluded the statement by adding that the Baloch issue within Pakistan and Iran is not a matter of fair resource distribution or power-sharing, to be resolved through so-called 'regime change' or internal reforms. Rather, the real issue is the Baloch nation's right to govern its own land with complete autonomy and freedom, and to present itself to the world as a distinct and independent national entity. The aims of the Baloch national liberation struggle are fundamentally different from the interests of external powers. "Such historic moments do not recur frequently in the region. This is a rare opportunity that the Baloch nation must seize by uniting its collective strength and demonstrating to the world that the Baloch, as a responsible nation, can contribute to peace, development, and stability in the region – and is fully capable of establishing an independent and sovereign state that meets all political, social, economic, and geographical criteria."
Memri
5 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
Regime Change In Iran – The Free Balochistan Movement's 'Democratic Transitional Plan' For The Post-Ayatollahs Era
The following is the "Democratic Transitional Plan for Iran," written by the secular Free Balochistan Movement, headed by the renowned Baloch leader Hyrbyair Marri.[1] The transitional plan has been presented by the Free Balochistan Movement to other ethnic groups present in Iran, such as Kurds, Ahwazis, and Azeris. At the moment, this is the only plan that finds a broad consensus. The plans states: "The current Iranian theocratic regime is facing civil resistance from both Persians and non-Persians. Armed national insurgent groups, such as those in Kurdistan and Balochistan, seek to overthrow the regime and regain their independence. But imagine if the regime were to fall today – what would happen next? "Would the Balochs, Kurds, Arabs, and Turks engage in conflict with a post-Mullah Iran? Would a new regime use the military to suppress civilian movements for independence in Balochistan, Kurdistan, Al-Ahwaz, and Turkic Azerbaijan? Would Iran once again descend into a protracted conflict? Could Persians resort to ethnically cleansing non-Persian regions and resettling those areas with their own population? "The best way to resolve this issue and avoid internal conflict in Iran is through a Democratic Transitional Plan for Iran." The various ethnic groups in Iran toppling the Islamic Republic of Iran together. The map shows current provinces within Iran and the population of different national groups. (Source: CIA) Following is the full text of the "Democratic Transitional Plan for Iran": Introduction Iran, known as Persia or the Persian Empire until 1935 in the Western world, is a modern colonial geopolitical construct. Its current boundaries encompass Persians, Balochs, Kurds, Turks, Arabs, and the territories of other historical nations. "Iranian" and "Persian" are synonyms often used interchangeably. However, anthropologically, Iranian nationality and Iranic people as ethno-linguistic groups are distinct. Modern Iranic peoples include Balochs, Kurds, Lurs, Mazanderanis, Ossetians, Tats, Tajiks, Talysh, Pashtuns, Pamiris, Persians, Yaghnobis, Wakhis, and Gilaks. They inhabit the Iranian Plateau, a geopolitical region spanning parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan), Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and occupied Balochistan), and Turkmenistan. The map shows that Balochistan, Kurdistan, and Ahwaz in particular have faced brutal repression by Iranian security forces during the 2022 protests (from September 17 to November 6, 2022), compared to central Persian regions. (Source: Iran/Persia Historically, the Persians ruled the ancient Persian Empire until Alexander the Great defeated and conquered them. After Alexander's death, it was ruled by his generals. Subsequently, several different Persian and non-Persian dynasties governed it during antiquity. However, following the Arab conquest, it was consistently controlled or ruled by non-Persian dynasties until Reza Mirpanj, a military officer, seized power with British assistance in the early 20th century and dissolved the Qajar Empire, which was originally a Turkic dynasty. Reza Mirpanj, later known as Reza Pahlavi, with Western support, centralised modern-day Iran, suppressing the independence and autonomy of the non-Persian nations. Reza Pahlavi promoted Persian nationalism and claimed it was a continuation of the Persian Empire that existed in antiquity. Reza and his successor, Mohammad Reza, pursued policies of centralisation and Persianisation in modern-day Iran. These policies resulted in civil unrest, human rights violations, and political repression, ultimately leading to a revolution that was co-opted by the Shiite mullahs, as religious groups were more organised than political opposition groups. Since 1979, Iranian mullahs have controlled Iran. Although religious fundamentalists, they are as nationalist as the Pahlavi dynasty. They have continued the policies of Persianisation against non-Persian nations and have engaged in the ethnic cleansing of Baloch, Arab, Turk, and Kurdish populations. Iran was never a single country during the modern era. It was always unified by force, driven by imperialist agendas that perceived Persians as the rulers not only of Persian lands but of the entire territory of Iran, which encompassed the historical lands of different nations. The age of empires ended long ago. The Persian undemocratic experiment is the reason why we have mullahs in power today. Therefore, any long-term solution to the Iranian problem must address the root cause of the issue: the creation of an empire in the age of nations. Distribution of the Iranic nations in Asia. Iranic people speak Indo-Iranian languages within the Indo-European language family. (Source: Reddit) Resolving The Root Cause The root cause of the crisis in Iran is the imposition of Iran as a country on nations that do not wish to be part of it, have a history of unique statehood, or feel, due to historical injustices, that they cannot develop or succeed unless they are free nations, controlling their own destinies and making their own laws. For example, some Persians favour a republic, while others support a monarchy. If the majority of Persians were to choose a monarchy, why should Kurds, Balochs, Arabs, and Turks be compelled to accept a Persian king as their ruler? The Persian majority overwhelmingly supported Khomeini during the 1979 revolution, thereby legitimising the theocratic regime. One of Iran's fundamental questions is whether Persians should impose their will and political decisions on other nations, or whether they should be solely responsible for their own political judgements and decisions. If it is wrong for one nation to impose its will on another, why should non-Persian nations suffer because of the political decisions made by Persians, as happened during Reza Shah's 1921 coup d'état or the 1979 revolution, both of which brought misery and destruction to non-Persian nationalities? Similarly, Balochs, Kurds, Turks, Arabs and other nations should have the right to national self-determination and be responsible for their own mistakes and successes as free nations. Most geographical nations, i.e., those that inhabit a homeland and are a majority in their historical territories, aspire to establish their own countries. They seek independent states such as Balochistan, Kurdistan, Turkic Azerbaijan, and Al-Ahwaz. A democratic solution would grant these nations their national rights and respect their aspirations for national liberation. However, these rights should be implemented within a specific timeframe to avoid chaos, anarchy, and instability. Additionally, this approach would ensure that the national question of non-Persian nations within Iran is resolved through democratic means and principles. National Liberation Via A Democratic Route Is the Solution The current Iranian theocratic regime is facing civil resistance from both Persians and non-Persians. Armed national insurgent groups, such as those in Kurdistan and Balochistan, seek to overthrow the regime and regain their independence. But imagine if the regime were to fall today – what would happen next? Would the Balochs, Kurds, Arabs, and Turks engage in conflict with a post-Mullah Iran? Would a new regime use the military to suppress civilian movements for independence in Balochistan, Kurdistan, Al-Ahwaz, and Turkic Azerbaijan? Would Iran once again descend into a protracted conflict? Could Persians resort to ethnically cleansing non-Persian regions and resettling those areas with their own population? The best way to resolve this issue and avoid internal conflict in Iran is through a Democratic Transitional Plan for Iran. Under such a plan, nations under Iranian/Persian occupation would not declare secession immediately, nor would Persians be allowed to dominate Iran as they did during the Pahlavi dynasty. This compromise would benefit all parties, aiming to secure peace, democracy, freedom, and national liberation. Such a Democratic Transitional Plan would be a treaty with international guarantors. If Persia or any other entity obstructs the implementation of the plan, the non-Persian nations would then have the legal right to declare unilateral independence. Phase One: Establishment Of Council And Devolution A Transitional Council, functioning as an executive body, would serve as a provisional government of Iran. It would be established to overthrow the current regime, manage Iran in the post-Mullah period, and implement the Transitional Plan. The Council would be formed through an agreement among the majority of opposition groups, representing geographically based nations as well as Persians. Any decision, resolution, or plan of the Council that contravenes the principles of the right to national self-determination, national liberation, the right to statehood, or the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights would be deemed illegal and void. The very foundation of the Transitional Council's existence would be to facilitate the implementation of the Transitional Plan, enabling nations to determine their national futures through democratic means. Each geographical nation would have equal representation on the Council, regardless of its population size. Representatives would be appointed by political movements dedicated to resisting and overthrowing the current Mullah regime. All nations would unite in their efforts to liberate Iran and dismantle the regime through both armed and political resistance. Each historically territorial nation would take responsibility for liberating its own homeland from the Mullah regime and its military forces. The Transitional Council would emerge from an alliance of these nations, working collectively to overthrow the current regime and establish a democratic system. Ideally, the Transitional Council should be established prior to the fall of the regime. The Council would operate on a model similar to the Swiss Federal Council, where all members collectively serve as the head of state and the transitional government of Iran. Executive authority would be equally shared during the transition, with all economic, political, and military decisions being made through consensus among all nations involved during the transitional period. The current Iranian government oversees 18 ministries; however, during the transitional period, most of these ministries would undergo comprehensive reform and partial devolution to the provinces. The Council would retain only those essential departments required to maintain the core functions of state governance. Among these ministries, defence, energy, economy, justice, petroleum, and foreign affairs would remain under central control until the completion of Phase Three. To foster provincial capacity-building, all ministries – except for Foreign Affairs – would establish provincial branches to facilitate a seamless transition towards Federalism, Confederalism, or Independence. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would focus on fostering international cooperation and supporting the Council in implementing the transitional plan. Following Phase Three, provincial governments would have the option to establish foreign representative offices, akin to those in devolved regions of Western nations such as Scotland, Quebec, and Catalonia. Shortly after assuming executive authority, the Transitional Council will initiate a fast-track devolution process, supporting the provinces in drafting their own constitutions, which will be implemented during Phase Three. Provincial governors and the heads of all key departments within the provinces will be appointed jointly by the Transitional Council and representatives of the movements for a period of 36 months. Currently, Iran is a highly centralised state, with all major decisions made in Tehran. The Transitional Council aims to decentralise governance by transferring the majority of central ministries from Tehran to the provinces. Each department will be led by a provincial minister, while the head of the province will serve as governor. The governor will act as the executive authority of the province, and the heads of all departments will form the provincial cabinet. The existing provinces will be empowered to manage the following areas: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing Border security Education Environment Emergency services Health and social care Housing Law enforcement Local government Highways and transport Sanitation and waste management Phase Two: Reorganisation Of Iran: Redefining Internal Boundaries And Establishing Constituent Units Once the regime falls, the issue of internal boundaries will be addressed. Historical documents, maps, population data, and other relevant factors will be utilised to redraw Iran's internal boundaries within a 36-month timeframe. The current provincial and administrative divisions in Iran were deliberately designed to fragment the territories of non-Persian nations and merge them into Persian-majority provinces – a calculated gerrymandering strategy implemented over the past century. For any democratic resolution – be it Federalism, Confederalism, or Independence – the issue of internal boundaries must be resolved as a priority. Without resolving this issue, no democratic solution within Iran can be effectively implemented. Federalism would falter if provincial boundaries remained overlapping, and historical injustices involving the division and merging of territories into Persian regions would persist unaddressed. Confederalism would be unfeasible if the confederating entities are not based on historical homelands, leaving significant non-Persian national populations under Persian rule. Failure to address this critical matter risks plunging the region into sustained unrest, ethnic tensions, and protracted conflicts. Firstly, the Transitional Council will prioritise resolving the issue of geographic boundaries affecting non-Persian nations. Within 36 months, territories historically annexed into Persian-majority areas during colonial rule will be restored to the oppressed nation. Iran's provinces will be politically reorganised into geographically redefined Self-Governing National Regions based on historical national boundaries, ensuring that each nation's territories are unified into a single region. These regions will collectively constitute a transitional Iran, with each region recognised as an equal constituent unit during the transitional period. These units will be based on geographically defined nations, such as Arabistan Al-Ahwaz, Azerbaijan, Balochistan, Gilan, Kurdistan, Persia, and others. The Council will also assist each region in establishing its own legal, financial, political, and military institutions. Furthermore, it will facilitate the organisation of free and fair elections across all regions under international supervision. Each region will have its own constitution, executive branch, parliament, and administrative bureaucracy. However, in the event that territorial disputes remain unresolved within 36 months, the Council will govern any contested areas with mixed national populations to ensure stability, peace, and positive relations among neighbouring regions. Representing all nationalities, the Council will maintain authority over these areas until the issue is resolved by a Resolution Commission. If the Commission cannot resolve the matter within 12 months, the involved parties must sign non-aggression agreements. The Council will then transfer the administration of the disputed area to a neutral entity or entities. While the claimants cannot block this transfer, they must mutually agree on the potential administrator or administrators. During the neutral administration, the dispute will be referred to an international court or arbitration tribunal. The neutral entity or entities will continue to govern the area until a final ruling is delivered, after which control will be transferred to the relevant region or regions in accordance with the court or tribunal's judgement. Phase Three: Self-Governing Constituent Units And Elections Once the territorial issues are resolved and Iran is politically reorganised into self-governing constituent regions, the Council, with the assistance and supervision of the international community, will establish an impartial Election Commission. This Election Commission also supported and overseen by the international community, will be responsible for planning, preparing, and organising free and fair elections for regional parliaments and executives. During the transitional period, each self-governing region will operate autonomously with its own constitution, executive, and legislature. The regional constitutions will define the method of election, the term lengths of legislators, the powers of the legislatures, the authority of the executive, and other political frameworks essential for regional governance. Phase Four: Independence, Confederation Or Federation Once Iran is internally reorganised into constituent regions based on historical national boundaries, and these regions are empowered with their own institutions and constitutions, only then will Phase Four commence. First Referendum Each region, except Persia, will hold a referendum 24 months after the completion of Phase Three to determine whether they wish to become an independent state or remain in a political union with Iran/Persia. The referendum question will be clearly drafted, offering two unequivocal choices to the permanent residents and native inhabitants of each region. Separate referendums will be conducted in each region, allowing them to independently decide their political future. However, Persians who were settled in the homelands of non-Persians as part of a deliberate policy to alter the demographic composition of those regions will not be eligible to vote in such referendums. Implementation Of Results Regions that vote for independence will be granted sovereignty and formally recognised by Iran as independent states. Subsequent negotiations will address outstanding issues related to finances, property, and assets. These discussions will also include the establishment of state-to-state relations between Iran/Persia and the newly independent sovereign states. Second Referendum The second referendum will be held 12 months after the first referendum. In this vote, the self-governing regions that rejected independence and opted for a political union with Iran will determine the political system of the country through a democratic process. The Persian Self-Governing Region will also participate in this referendum. The population of each region that chose union with Iran will decide whether Iran should adopt a federal or confederal system. Implementation Of The Result Following the second referendum, a constitutional commission will be established under international supervision. All political parties from the regions that opted for a union with Iran will participate in drafting a new constitution, which will be based on the outcome of the referendum. If the majority votes for Federalism, the commission will draft a federal constitution. Conversely, if the majority votes for Confederalism, the commission will draft a confederal constitution. The constitution drafting process must remain transparent, with public participation and consultation from international legal experts in constitutional law. The final draft of the new constitution must be approved by constituent assemblies of all regions that voted for a political union with Iran. Protection Of National Minorities in Iran and The Newly Established Independent State Even after the internal reorganisation of Iran and the establishment of self-governing national regions, challenges related to national minorities will remain. Each self-governing nation will inevitably include small populations from other nations, referred to as national minorities. These are groups residing outside their historical homelands within the newly established states or within Iran itself. It is widely acknowledged that even the most carefully considered redrawing of political boundaries cannot fully resolve the complexities surrounding ethnic or national minorities. To safeguard the rights of all people belonging to the diverse nations, all parties – whether opting for independence or remaining in a union with Iran – must negotiate and agree upon a treaty dedicated to protecting the rights of national minorities. This multilateral treaty should ensure the preservation of their culture, freedom, and human and civil rights. It is proposed that a comprehensive treaty and framework be developed, drawing upon the principles of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
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First Post
28-05-2025
- First Post
FirstUp: Verdict likely in French paedophile surgeon case, China to host Pacific Island leaders... Headlines of the day
The verdict is expected in the case of French paedophile surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec who is accused of raping and abusing 299 children during his career. China is set to host leaders from the Pacific Island nations for talks. In Europe, the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) has planned protests across multiple cities read more Courtroom sketch published on March 13, 2020 of former surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec during his trial in Saintes for the rape and sexual assault of four children. File image/AFP It is set to be a busy Wednesday with several events lined up for the day. Firstly, verdict is expected in the case of French paedophile surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec, accused of raping and abusing 299 child patients during his career. On the other side of the globe, China will be hosting leaders from the Pacific Island nations for talks. China is set to launch its Tianwen-2 asteroid probe and sampling mission today. Meanwhile, a series of coordinated protests will be organised by the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) across multiple cities in Europe today. In India, the Centre has called a high-level meeting of major e-commerce platforms to address the issue of dark patterns. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day. Verdict expected in French paedophile surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec's case A verdict is expected in the case of French paedophile surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec today. Le Scouarnec is a French surgeon accused of raping and abusing 299 child patients between 1989 and 2014. He has been on trial since February in Vannes, Brittany, in one of the largest sex abuse cases France has ever seen. Many of the alleged victims were under anaesthesia during the assaults. He is already serving a 15-year prison sentence following a 2020 conviction for abusing four girls, including his nieces and a neighbour. As the three-month trial concludes, victims and child abuse organisations express frustration over the case's lack of attention and anger at the French government's meagre actions to prevent similar future crimes. China to host Pacific Island leaders for talks China is set to host leaders from Pacific Island nations for a summit today in a bid to seek closer ties with the strategic nation, reported news agency AFP. Leaders and diplomats from 11 Pacific Island nations, including Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, are expected to attend the talks in the eastern Chinese city of Xiamen, informed Beijing's foreign ministry. Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the countries would discuss 'comprehensive exchanges and cooperation between China and Pacific Island countries, as well as international regional issues of common concern'. He added Beijing 'attaches great importance to its relations with Pacific island countries' and looks forward to 'jointly building a closer China-Pacific island community with a shared future. China to launch Tianwen-2 asteroid sampling mission China's Tianwen-2 mission will mark the country's first attempt to survey and sample an asteroid and put it in league with the US, Russia and Japan. The Tianwen-2 mission will focus on investigating Kamo'oalewa, an asteroid that orbits the sun at a distance relatively near Earth, reported The Times Of India. China will launch Tianwen-2 mission to study and sample an asteroid. Representational image/Reuters The report further stated that the entire mission could last a decade. If it successfully retrieves and returns samples from the asteroid, it will continue to explore the solar system with a second trip to the main asteroid belt, stated TOI. Free Balochistan protests planned in Europe The Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) has planned to hold protests in various places across European cities today. Notably, May 28 marks the 27th anniversary of Pakistan's nuclear tests. As reported by news agency ANI, these demonstrations seek international acknowledgement of the enduring human, environmental and health consequences stemming from the nuclear detonations conducted in Balochistan's Chagai district in 1998. A demonstration will be held outside the official residence of the UK prime minister at 10 Downing Street. Another protest will take place at Hamburg Central Station in Germany while in Finland, a march is scheduled starting from the Parliament to Citizen Square in Helsinki. The final one will take place outside the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Centre to hold high-level meeting with e-commerce platforms The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs is slated to conduct a high-level meeting involving key e-commerce and quick commerce platforms. This convocation aims to address the growing concerns surrounding 'dark patterns,' which are defined as deceptive online design tactics that invariably mislead users into making choices they did not originally intend. The meeting, to be chaired by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi, will see participation from a wide range of companies across sectors like food delivery, pharmacy, cosmetics, travel, fashion, retail and electronics, reported news website Moneycontrol. Some of the companies are Amazon, Flipkart, 1mg, Apple, BigBasket, Meesho, Meta, MakeMyTrip, Paytm, Ola, Reliance Retail, Swiggy and Zomato.
