Human Rights Organization Karoun reported that the judiciary of the Islamic Republic has sentenced more than 10 Arab native and skilled workers of Petropars in Hoveyzeh, Khuzestan, to receive discretionary lashes and to pay a cash fine of 200 million rials for “demanding their union rights,” and that the lash sentences have been carried out.

Citing documented reports received from Ahvaz, the human rights organization wrote that these workers, following protests over their dismissal, non-renewal of their work contracts, and their replacement with non-native personnel, were met with security and judicial pressure.

According to this report, most of these workers hold bachelor’s and master’s university degrees.

Karoun added that after the peaceful gathering of these workers in front of Petropars, the company’s management filed a complaint against them, raising allegations including “blocking the way and causing loss and damage.” According to Karoun’s report, following this complaint, police officers detained these workers by applying physical violence.

The human rights organization described the issuance and execution of the lash sentence for the workers as a clear example of “torture,” and as a direct violation of Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.